Distribution and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Cinnamomum Camphora leaves in Shanghai urban area

Sixteen priority-controlled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cinnamomum camphora leaves from Shanghai urban area were analyzed by GC-MS. The results showed that concentrations of total PAHs, carcinogenic PAHs and BaPeq ranged from 199.14 to 488.77 ng/g, 56.63 to 209.37 ng/g and 4.39 to 14.80 ng/g, respectively with the highest values in industrial areas and lowest levels in park areas. The PAHs concentrations in traffic and business areas were much higher than those in park areas and lower than those in industrial areas. The PAHs were dominated by 3 and 4 ring compounds, which accounted for 31.60% and 54.25% of ∑16PAHs, respectively, while 2 and 5 rings PAHs accounted for 5.83% and 5.97% of ∑16PAHs, respectively, and 6rings PAHs only accounted for 2.35%. The most abundant PAHs were phenanthrene, chrysene, fluoranthene and pyrene. In industrial areas, concentrations of napalthene were significantly higher than those in other functional areas of Shanghai. The source apportionment showed that the PAHs mainly result from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.