The partitioning behavior of PAHs between settled dust and its extracted water phase: Coefficients and effects of the fluorescent organic matter

The occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a city of Central China were determined in the settled dust and its extracted water phase from different land use types and bus stops in Nanchang City. The physicochemical properties of its water extracted dissolved organic matter (WEOM) were characterized to investigate the effect of fluorescence organic matter on the dust-water partitioning coefficients (Kd) using three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy combined parallel factor analysis. Results showed that the range of ∑PAHs in settled dust and the extracted water phase was 0.05–15.92 μg·g−1 and 2–211 ng·L−1, respectively. These PAHs mostly came from the combustion of biomass. The risk assessment showed that PAHs in dust had no obvious health risk (less than the magnitude of 10−6). Additionally, the high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs and the low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs were preferentially adsorbed by dust and the dissolved portion, respectively. It was confirmed by the relatively high logKd values of 4.23 for the HMW-PAHs. Pearson correlation analysis suggested that the higher concentration of dissolved organic carbon and humic-like substance were in favor of PAHs in dust released into waters. This study can provide information on pollution control when considering the impact of fluorescent organic matter on the fate and transport of PAHs. [Display omitted] •Partitioning behavior of PAHs between dust and WEOM was investigated.•Higher concentrations of ∑PAHs in both dust and WEOM were from the traffic roads.•LMW-PAHs preferred to dissolve in waters due to their higher solubility.•HMW-PAHs were predominantly existed in dust having a higher logKd value.•Humic-like substance was in favor of PAHs in dust released into waters.