Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and products

<p>Chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (XPAHs) are emerging pollutants widely found in atmospheric particulate matter (PM). However, their environmental transformation mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we collected PM samples of varying sizes over a y...

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Main Authors: Y. Yang, Y. Liu, G. Zhu, B. Lin, S. Zhang, X. Li, F. Xu, H. Niu, R. Jin, M. Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-04-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/3981/2025/acp-25-3981-2025.pdf
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author Y. Yang
Y. Yang
Y. Yang
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
G. Zhu
B. Lin
S. Zhang
S. Zhang
S. Zhang
X. Li
X. Li
X. Li
F. Xu
H. Niu
R. Jin
M. Zheng
M. Zheng
M. Zheng
author_facet Y. Yang
Y. Yang
Y. Yang
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
G. Zhu
B. Lin
S. Zhang
S. Zhang
S. Zhang
X. Li
X. Li
X. Li
F. Xu
H. Niu
R. Jin
M. Zheng
M. Zheng
M. Zheng
author_sort Y. Yang
collection DOAJ
description <p>Chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (XPAHs) are emerging pollutants widely found in atmospheric particulate matter (PM). However, their environmental transformation mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we collected PM samples of varying sizes over a year for XPAH analysis and found that the average concentrations of XPAHs peaked in winter and were dominated by the contribution of <span class="inline-formula">PM<sub>1</sub></span> (particulate matter <span class="inline-formula">≤</span> 1 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>m in aerodynamic diameter) (47.0 %). Correlation analysis with relevant meteorological parameters showed strong associations between XPAH fluctuations and PM, temperature and humidity. Hence, controlled laboratory experiments were conducted to explore the influence of particle size, sunlight duration, temperature, humidity and oxidant concentrations on XPAHs. Our results indicated that the transformation rates of XPAHs were influenced by the parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon structures (with phenanthrene <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> fluoranthene <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> pyrene <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> benz[a]anthracene <span class="inline-formula">≈</span> anthracene <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> benzo[a]pyrene) as well as the substitution of halogens (chlorinated <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> brominated). Furthermore, the photoirradiation promoted the heterogeneous transformation of XPAHs; this process was accelerated by the increased concentrations of reactive oxygen species and elevated temperature, peaking at a humidity level of 45 %. The transformation products were identified by nontarget analysis. According to that, we then proposed phototransformation pathways for XPAHs, suggesting a mechanism involving dehalogenation followed by oxidation. Predictions were made regarding the persistence, bioaccumulation, long-range transportation, and toxicities of XPAHs and their transformation products, showing a decrement in environmental risk as the transformation progressed. This study provides novel insights into the primary influencing factors for particulate XPAH variations and the mechanisms of heterogeneous phototransformation.</p>
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spelling doaj-art-b88563b4b0e54916abf246e4e068bdcc2025-08-20T03:06:09ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242025-04-01253981399410.5194/acp-25-3981-2025Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and productsY. Yang0Y. Yang1Y. Yang2Y. Liu3Y. Liu4Y. Liu5G. Zhu6B. Lin7S. Zhang8S. Zhang9S. Zhang10X. Li11X. Li12X. Li13F. Xu14H. Niu15R. Jin16M. Zheng17M. Zheng18M. Zheng19State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, ChinaSchool of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, ChinaCollege of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, ChinaSchool of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, ChinaCollege of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, ChinaSchool of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, ChinaSchool of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, ChinaSchool of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, ChinaCollege of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, ChinaSchool of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, ChinaCollege of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, ChinaZhejiang Taizhou Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Taizhou, 318000, ChinaZhejiang Taizhou Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Taizhou, 318000, ChinaSchool of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, ChinaSchool of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, ChinaCollege of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China<p>Chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (XPAHs) are emerging pollutants widely found in atmospheric particulate matter (PM). However, their environmental transformation mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we collected PM samples of varying sizes over a year for XPAH analysis and found that the average concentrations of XPAHs peaked in winter and were dominated by the contribution of <span class="inline-formula">PM<sub>1</sub></span> (particulate matter <span class="inline-formula">≤</span> 1 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>m in aerodynamic diameter) (47.0 %). Correlation analysis with relevant meteorological parameters showed strong associations between XPAH fluctuations and PM, temperature and humidity. Hence, controlled laboratory experiments were conducted to explore the influence of particle size, sunlight duration, temperature, humidity and oxidant concentrations on XPAHs. Our results indicated that the transformation rates of XPAHs were influenced by the parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon structures (with phenanthrene <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> fluoranthene <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> pyrene <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> benz[a]anthracene <span class="inline-formula">≈</span> anthracene <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> benzo[a]pyrene) as well as the substitution of halogens (chlorinated <span class="inline-formula">&lt;</span> brominated). Furthermore, the photoirradiation promoted the heterogeneous transformation of XPAHs; this process was accelerated by the increased concentrations of reactive oxygen species and elevated temperature, peaking at a humidity level of 45 %. The transformation products were identified by nontarget analysis. According to that, we then proposed phototransformation pathways for XPAHs, suggesting a mechanism involving dehalogenation followed by oxidation. Predictions were made regarding the persistence, bioaccumulation, long-range transportation, and toxicities of XPAHs and their transformation products, showing a decrement in environmental risk as the transformation progressed. This study provides novel insights into the primary influencing factors for particulate XPAH variations and the mechanisms of heterogeneous phototransformation.</p>https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/3981/2025/acp-25-3981-2025.pdf
spellingShingle Y. Yang
Y. Yang
Y. Yang
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
Y. Liu
G. Zhu
B. Lin
S. Zhang
S. Zhang
S. Zhang
X. Li
X. Li
X. Li
F. Xu
H. Niu
R. Jin
M. Zheng
M. Zheng
M. Zheng
Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and products
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and products
title_full Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and products
title_fullStr Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and products
title_full_unstemmed Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and products
title_short Heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: influencing factors, mechanisms and products
title_sort heterogeneous phototransformation of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons influencing factors mechanisms and products
url https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/3981/2025/acp-25-3981-2025.pdf
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