Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons anthropogenic sources

McRae C., Snape C. E., Sun C. G., Fabbri D., Tartar D., Trombini C., and Fallick A. (2(X)0) Use of compound-specific stable isotope analysis to source anthropogenic natural gas-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in lagoon sediments. Environ. Sci. Technol. 34, 4684-4686. 

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered as priority pollutants due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. PAHs are introduced in the environment from natural sources [e.g., incomplete combustion of organic matter from natural processes (volcanic eruptions, fires)] or anthropogenic, such as burning of fossil fuels, waste incineration, traffic, and so forth. 

Fifty soils and sediments from many areas of the globe have been analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) using gas chromatographic mass spectrometry. The results of these analyses indicate that PAH are ubiquitous. The source of most of the PAH in these samples is combustion. The concentrations of PAH are highest in areas of high anthropogenic activity. PAH concentrations relative to distance from anthropogenic point sources also indicate that the major source of PAH in these sediments is attributable to human activity. 

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from anthropogenic sources are discharged into the atmosphere... 

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