Articles | Volume 22, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1495-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1495-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
31 Jan 2022
Research article |
| 31 Jan 2022
| 31 Jan 2022
Single-particle characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in background air in northern Europe
Johannes Passig
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair for Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA) Cooperation Group, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81379 Munich, Germany
Julian Schade
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair for Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Bundeswehr University Munich, 85577 Neubiberg, Germany
Robert Irsig
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair for Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Photonion GmbH, 19061 Schwerin, Germany
Thomas Kröger-Badge
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair for Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Hendryk Czech
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair for Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA) Cooperation Group, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81379 Munich, Germany
Thomas Adam
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA) Cooperation Group, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81379 Munich, Germany
Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Bundeswehr University Munich, 85577 Neubiberg, Germany
Henrik Fallgren
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, 411 33 Gothenburg, Sweden
Jana Moldanova
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, 411 33 Gothenburg, Sweden
Martin Sklorz
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA) Cooperation Group, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81379 Munich, Germany
Thorsten Streibel
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair for Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA) Cooperation Group, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81379 Munich, Germany
Ralf Zimmermann
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Chair for Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre, Comprehensive Molecular Analytics (CMA) Cooperation Group, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81379 Munich, Germany
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- 1D-CNN Network Based Real-Time Aerosol Particle Classification With Single-Particle Mass Spectrometry G. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1109/LSENS.2023.3315554
- Direct detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on a molecular composition level in summertime ambient aerosol via proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry T. Reinecke et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-225-2024
- Limited efficiency of wet scrubbers in reducing the environmental impact of ship-emitted particles L. Anders et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-025-01830-x
- Umweltchemie: Sekundärer Feinstaub – ein unterschätzter Schadstoff H. Czech https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20234136927
- Investigation of brake wear particle emissions via single particle mass spectral signatures: Comparison of laboratory and ambient measurements S. Jeong et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.181277
- Real-Time Investigation of Primary Ship Engine Emissions by Vacuum Resonance-Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization High-Resolution Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry P. Kösling et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03972
- Laser-Pulse-Length Effects in Ultrafast Laser Desorption M. Schmidt et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03558
- Spatiotemporal Gradients of PAH Concentrations in Greek Cities and Associated Exposure Impacts I. Tsiodra et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12040293
- Impact of fuel sulfur regulations on carbonaceous particle emission from a marine engine M. Bauer et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00838-4
- A critical review of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their adverse effects on human health: insights from the past six years M. Beygisangchin et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-026-01367-y
- Deep learning based aerosol particle classification for the detection of ship emissions G. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180041
- Remote Detection of Different Marine Fuels in Exhaust Plumes by Onboard Measurements in the Baltic Sea Using Single-Particle Mass Spectrometry E. Rosewig et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14050849
- Detection of ship emissions from distillate fuel operation via single-particle profiling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons L. Anders et al. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00056G
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as fuel-dependent markers in ship engine emissions using single-particle mass spectrometry L. Anders et al. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA00035H
- Single-particle insights into the initial mixing state of black carbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from biomass and coal combustion G. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121963
- Measurement report: The Fifth International Workshop on Ice Nucleation phase 1 (FIN-01): intercomparison of single-particle mass spectrometers X. Shen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10869-2024
- Quantifying Contributions of Sulfate, Hydroxymethanesulfonate, and Additional S(IV) Compounds to Wintertime Aerosol Particles A. Holen et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.5c00232
- Distinct Photochemistry of Odd-Carbon PAHs from the Even-Carbon Ones During the Photoaging and Analysis of Soot Y. Zhu et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c00764
- Cooking Oil Mixed with Residential Wood Burning Particles: A Wintertime Indoor Air Quality Study L. Forshee et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.5c00156
- Seasonal distribution of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a critical indicator of air quality and health impact in a coastal-urban region of Poland P. Siudek https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154375
- Machine learning approaches for automatic classification of single-particle mass spectrometry data G. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-299-2024
- Secondary aerosol formation in incense burning particles by O3 and OH oxidation via single particle mixing state analysis Z. Liang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164942
- Dominant Combustion Sources of PM2.5-bound PAHs and Associated Cancer Risk in Wuhan, Central China T. Wu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41810-026-00403-x
- Comprehensive the seasonal characterization of atmospheric submicron particles at urban sites in the North China Plain P. Xu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107388
- Compositional and seasonal differences of gas and particle phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) over the southern Baltic Sea coast P. Siudek https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25666-5
- Characterizing carbonaceous aerosols in residential coal combustion: Insights from thermal/spectral carbon analyzer coupled with photoionization mass spectrometry analysis B. Jia et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172940
28 citations as recorded by crossref.
- A solid-state infrared laser for two-step desorption–ionization processes in single-particle mass spectrometry M. Schmidt et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2425-2025
- Residential Wood Burning and Vehicle Emissions as Major Sources of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals in Fairbanks, Alaska K. Edwards et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c01206
- 1D-CNN Network Based Real-Time Aerosol Particle Classification With Single-Particle Mass Spectrometry G. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1109/LSENS.2023.3315554
- Direct detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on a molecular composition level in summertime ambient aerosol via proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry T. Reinecke et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-2-225-2024
- Limited efficiency of wet scrubbers in reducing the environmental impact of ship-emitted particles L. Anders et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-025-01830-x
- Umweltchemie: Sekundärer Feinstaub – ein unterschätzter Schadstoff H. Czech https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20234136927
- Investigation of brake wear particle emissions via single particle mass spectral signatures: Comparison of laboratory and ambient measurements S. Jeong et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.181277
- Real-Time Investigation of Primary Ship Engine Emissions by Vacuum Resonance-Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization High-Resolution Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry P. Kösling et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03972
- Laser-Pulse-Length Effects in Ultrafast Laser Desorption M. Schmidt et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03558
- Spatiotemporal Gradients of PAH Concentrations in Greek Cities and Associated Exposure Impacts I. Tsiodra et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12040293
- Impact of fuel sulfur regulations on carbonaceous particle emission from a marine engine M. Bauer et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00838-4
- A critical review of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their adverse effects on human health: insights from the past six years M. Beygisangchin et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-026-01367-y
- Deep learning based aerosol particle classification for the detection of ship emissions G. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180041
- Remote Detection of Different Marine Fuels in Exhaust Plumes by Onboard Measurements in the Baltic Sea Using Single-Particle Mass Spectrometry E. Rosewig et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14050849
- Detection of ship emissions from distillate fuel operation via single-particle profiling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons L. Anders et al. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00056G
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as fuel-dependent markers in ship engine emissions using single-particle mass spectrometry L. Anders et al. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA00035H
- Single-particle insights into the initial mixing state of black carbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from biomass and coal combustion G. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2026.121963
- Measurement report: The Fifth International Workshop on Ice Nucleation phase 1 (FIN-01): intercomparison of single-particle mass spectrometers X. Shen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10869-2024
- Quantifying Contributions of Sulfate, Hydroxymethanesulfonate, and Additional S(IV) Compounds to Wintertime Aerosol Particles A. Holen et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.5c00232
- Distinct Photochemistry of Odd-Carbon PAHs from the Even-Carbon Ones During the Photoaging and Analysis of Soot Y. Zhu et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c00764
- Cooking Oil Mixed with Residential Wood Burning Particles: A Wintertime Indoor Air Quality Study L. Forshee et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.5c00156
- Seasonal distribution of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a critical indicator of air quality and health impact in a coastal-urban region of Poland P. Siudek https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154375
- Machine learning approaches for automatic classification of single-particle mass spectrometry data G. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-299-2024
- Secondary aerosol formation in incense burning particles by O3 and OH oxidation via single particle mixing state analysis Z. Liang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164942
- Dominant Combustion Sources of PM2.5-bound PAHs and Associated Cancer Risk in Wuhan, Central China T. Wu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41810-026-00403-x
- Comprehensive the seasonal characterization of atmospheric submicron particles at urban sites in the North China Plain P. Xu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107388
- Compositional and seasonal differences of gas and particle phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) over the southern Baltic Sea coast P. Siudek https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25666-5
- Characterizing carbonaceous aerosols in residential coal combustion: Insights from thermal/spectral carbon analyzer coupled with photoionization mass spectrometry analysis B. Jia et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172940
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 23 Jun 2026
Short summary
The single-particle distribution of health-relevant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was studied at the Swedish coast in autumn. We found PAHs bound to long-range transported particles from eastern and central Europe and also from ship emissions and local sources. This is the first field study using a new technology revealing single-particle data from both inorganic components and PAHs. We discuss PAH profiles that are indicative of several sources and atmospheric aging processes.
The single-particle distribution of health-relevant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was...
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