Contamination characteristics of alkyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in dust and topsoil collected from Huaibei Coalfield, China

Alkyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (APAHs) are more toxic and persistent than their parent compounds. In this study, the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in dust, topsoil and coal gangue from Huaibei Coal mine, China were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, confirming APAHs were the dominant pollutants. The mean concentrations of APAHs were substantially higher than those of 16 PAHs in both dust and topsoil. The mean concentration of APAHs in dust was 9197 µg kg−1, accounting for 80% of the total mean concentration of PACs. The mean concentration of APAHs in topsoil was 2835 µg kg−1, accounting for 77% of the mean concentration of PACs. Alkyl naphthalenes and alkyl phenanthrenes were the primary pollutants in APAHs. Their mean concentrations in dust and topsoil were 7782 µg kg−1 and 2333 µg kg−1, respectively. This accounted for 85% and 82% of the concentration of APAHs, respectively. Additionally, low-molecular-weight APAHs dominated the PACs of the coal mine, exhibiting petrogenic characteristics; distribution of C1-C4 NAP and C1-C4 PHE exhibited “bell shape” pattern indicated as petrogenic source. Source identification indicated that the PACs were mainly derived from petrogenic sources and vehicle emissions, followed by biomass and coal burning. Fingerprinting information of dust and topsoil were consistent with coal gangue, indicating that PACs are most likely derived from coal gangue. Coalfields comparable to our study area are widely distributed in China. Therefore, investigating PAC pollution derived from coal gangue warrants further attention.