Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of Huanghuai Plain, China: Comparison of three receptor models

► We examine similarities and differences in PAH source resolution by PCA/PMF/Unmix. ► Overall source contributions compare well among the applied three models. ► Divergent results are attributed to the model itself and the underlying dataset. ► Determining PAH source apportionment by multiple techniques is generally suggested.