Analysis of the Effect of Meteorological Factors on PM2.5-Associated PAHs during Autumn-Winter in Urban Nanchang

The objectives of this study were to examine the association between PM2.5-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their meteorological factors, and the relationship between PM2.5-associated PAH concentrations and temperature, air pressure and air humidity. Data collected by Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Nanchang urban areas during the fall and winter seasons of 2014–2015 were analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our study showed that the PM2.5 mass concentration had a mean of 0.088 µg m–3. Our results showed that the total concentration of PAHs in Nanchang was 22.54 ng m–3 (RSD: 8.50) and 15 different types of PAHs examined in this study all exceeded the China national standard. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the daily average concentration of total PAH was significantly associated with the temperature and daily minimum humidity (p < 0.05), but not daily wind speed and rainfall. Principal component analysis and characteristic ratio study indicated that the source of PAHs in PM2.5 were mainly from vehicle exhaust and coal and gas combustion in Nanchang.