Combustion-Derived Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Environment—A Review

Abstract

Abstract Combustion processes are responsible for the vast majority of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that enter the environment. This review presents and discusses some of the factors that affect the production (type of fuel, amount of oxygen, and temperature) and environmental fate (physicochemical properties, biodegradation, photodegradation, and chemical oxidation) of combustion-derived PAHs. Because different combustion processes can yield similar assemblages of PAHs, apportionment of sources is often a difficult task. Several of the frequently applied methods for apportioning sources of PAHs in the environment are also discussed.