Source identification and characterization of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons along the southwestern coastal area of Taiwan – with a GMDH approach

Air samples of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were collected from May 2008 to April 2009 in the Kaohsiung coastal area of Taiwan to establish a dataset. Sample analysis suggested that PAH composition (dominated by 3-ring PAHs) and seasonal patterns (high concentration in winter and low concentration in summer) are nearly identical to those previously reported (Lai et al., 2011), except for a case of road construction during the sample period. The predominant sources of PAHs were identified by isomer ratio, HCA and PCA analyses as vehicle emissions and coal/wood combustion. According to the results of parameters selection via the Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH), the variations in gaseous PAHs and particulate PAHs were related mainly to meteorological conditions and to routine monitoring of air pollutant concentrations, respectively. A comparison of model prediction accuracy between particulate and gaseous PAHs suggests better prediction for particulate PAHs than gaseous PAHs, due to dramatic variation in meteorological conditions which results in higher prediction uncertainty for gaseous PAHs. Model predictions of PAH concentrations showed satisfactory agreement with measured data, except for specific incidents, such as joss paper burning events. The results of this study suggest that the GMDH model may be applied to PAH concentration prediction for the study area and may be applicable for other countries based on routine monitoring of air pollutant concentrations and meteorological conditions.

► The predominant sources of PAHs were vehicle emissions and coal/wood combustion. ► Variation in gaseous PAH level was mainly due to meteorological conditions. ► Variation in particulate PAH level was mainly due to routine monitoring pollutants. ► GMDH predictions show good agreement with measured data in particulate PAHs. ► Accuracy of PAH simulation was affected by specific events like joss paper burning.