János Szabó

56808154900

Publications - 8

Characterization of PM2.5-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Ambient Air of Győr, Hungary

Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

Publication Date: 2019-01-01

Volume: 39

Issue: 4

Page Range: 332-345

Description:

In Hungary, the nationwide monitoring of PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air is great importance for a number of reasons related to human health, the environment and compliance with European Union legislation. However, the measurement of PAH concentrations in PM2.5 aerosol fraction has not been carried out. Therefore, the concentration, distribution and sources of PM2.5-bound PAHs at different urban sites of Győr were investigated in a heating season. The total PAH concentrations (sum of 19 individual PAH compounds) ranged from 1.32 to 37.27 ng/m3 with the mean value of 10.54 ng/m3. The high molecular weight PAHs with 5 and 6 aromatic rings were the most abundant PAHs in PM2.5 aerosol samples, which averaged 82% of total PAHs. Using benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) equivalent approach on the concentration data of carcinogenic PAH species, BaP and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene contributed the highest carcinogenic exposure equivalent (1.25 and 0.19 ng/m3 on average). However, the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values for resident children and adults indicated low-potential cancer risk (ILCR < 10−6). The source apportionment results reflected that the major sources of PAH compounds in the Győr atmosphere were fossil fuel combustion and vehicle emissions.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2017.1326950

Particle-associated PAHs in urban and rural ambient air samples

Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: World Congress on Civil Structural and Environmental Engineering

Publication Date: 2018-01-01

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the concentration levels and distributions of airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between urban area of Gyor and the nearest rural area of Sarro´d (Hungary). Nineteen selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including the 16 priority US EPA PAH compounds, 2-methylnaphthalene, benzo(j)fluoranthene and benzo(e)pyrene in PM10 aerosol samples were determined under the authority of the Government Office for Gyor-Moson-Sopron County, Environmental Protection Laboratory and seasonal distributions were examined based on long-term monitoring data. Moreover, the concentration levels of fine (PM2.5) particle-associated PAHs measured in Gyor in a heating season are also discussed. About 2 times higher Total PAHs concentrations were obtained for urban samples compared to the rural samples on average. All of the investigated PAH compounds were identified in the PM10 aerosol samples. PAHs fluctuate significantly in all years with higher means and peak concentrations in the winter and autumn compared to that of spring or summer times at both monitoring sites. Approximately 27 and 18 times higher benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) toxic equivalence quotient (TEQ) concentrations in PM10 in urban and rural sites were detected in the heating seasons, respectively. Acenaphthene and fluorene were not detected in the PM2.5 samples. The dominant PM2.5-bound PAH compounds were indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and sum of three benzofluoranthene isomers followed by benzo(ghi)perylene and BaP. Relatively high mean TEQ concentration level were observed for PM2.5-bound PAHs in the examined heating season.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.11159/awspt18.101

Evaluation of trace metal levels in surface water and sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and its tributaries

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A Toxic Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering

Publication Date: 2016-12-05

Volume: 51

Issue: 14

Page Range: 1248-1261

Description:

The objective of this study was to assess the concentration levels of trace metals (Zn, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Cu) in surface water and bottom sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and its main tributaries. A total of 935 samples (water and sediments) were collected from 10 different sampling sites in the period of 2001–2012 and analyzed for the trace metals. Moreover, the dissolved arsenic content was determined in a number of 467 water samples in the period of 2004–2012. The highest dissolved trace element concentrations were observed at the site of Kenyérmezei-patak Creek located near a hazardous waste incinerator. However, the comparison of the dissolved trace metal(loid) concentrations determined with other sections of the Danube River and the European Union environmental quality standards revealed that the dissolved trace metal(loid) concentrations were relatively low in the Hungarian upper section during the 12-year study period (excluding some samples for Hg, Cd and Cr). The concentrations of trace metals in sediments were higher than those found in water samples and varied very much in all sampling sites during the study period. The sediment samples were mainly classified as low or moderate polluted for trace metals. However, some sediment samples collected especially from the Moson Danube branch indicated a considerable (for Zn, Hg, Cd, Ni and Cu) or a very high (for Zn and Hg) contamination.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2016.1212565

Ambient concentrations of PM10, PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals in an urban site of Győr, Hungary

Andrea Nagyné Szabó József Erdős János Szabó

Publication Name: Air Quality Atmosphere and Health

Publication Date: 2015-04-01

Volume: 8

Issue: 2

Page Range: 229-241

Description:

An assessment of the air quality of Győr (Hungary) was performed by determining the ambient concentrations of PM10, PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and regulated heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As and Ni) in the period of 2008−2012. The PM10 concentrations ranged from 7.90 to 119.14 μg/m3 with the mean value of 34.94 μg/m3. On average, the total PAHs (sum of the concentrations of 18 individual PAH compounds) and the four metals contents in the PM10 fraction amounted to 0.04 and 0.06 %, respectively. The total PAH concentrations ranged from 0.29 to 88.30 ng/m3, which were predominated by intermediate and high molecular weight PAHs. Higher concentrations of both PM10 and PAHs were detected in samples collected in the heating seasons. The mean metallic concentrations calculated for the 5-year sampling period were found in decreasing order of Pb (14.47 ng/m3), Ni (3.73 ng/m3), As (0.64 ng/m3) and Cd (0.60 ng/m3). Very little seasonal variation was observed in metal concentrations. Moreover, the comparison of the PM10, bezo[a]pyrene (BaP) and heavy metal concentrations determined with other Hungarian and European urban sites and the limit or target values for health protection has revealed that the air quality of Győr and other Hungarian cities for the above pollutants generally corresponds to the EU average. It is important to reduce PM10 and BaP pollution to concentrations lower than those specified in current legislation. However, the Hungarian cities have excellent air quality with respect to heavy metals.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1007/s11869-015-0318-7

Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and sediments of the Danube River and its tributaries, Hungary

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A Toxic Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering

Publication Date: 2014-08-24

Volume: 49

Issue: 10

Page Range: 1134-1141

Description:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and quantified in surface water and sediments from 9 sites in the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and its tributaries in autumn 2012. The total PAH concentrations (sum of the concentrations of 17 individual PAH compounds) in water samples ranged from 67 to 96 ng L-1, which were predominated by two- and three-ring PAHs. The total PAH concentrations in sediments ranged from 35.2 to 288.3 ng g-1 dw. Four-ring PAHs including fluoranthene and pyrene were the dominant species in sediment samples. The spatial distribution of PAHs in sediments was site-specific. The highest benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration was determined at the site located near a hazardous waste incinerator. However, the comparison of the total PAH concentrations determined with other sections of the Danube River and the environmental quality standards revealed that the PAH concentrations are relatively low in the Hungarian upper section. A selected number of concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds reflected a pattern of pyrogenic input as a major source of PAHs. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2014.897155

Trace metal and metalloid levels in surface water of Marcal River before and after the Ajka red mud spill, Hungary

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Publication Date: 2013-11-01

Volume: 20

Issue: 11

Page Range: 7603-7614

Description:

The aim of this study was to compare and assess the dissolved concentrations of trace elements (As, Zn, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Cu) in surface water of Marcal River before and after the red mud spill that occurred in Ajka, western Hungary, in October 2010. The caustic sludge flooded the surrounding settlements and polluted the nearby Torna Creek, which flows through the Marcal and Raba rivers into the Danube. A total of 92 surface water samples were collected from the Marcal River in the period of 2007-2012 and analysed for dissolved trace metal(loid)s by atomic absorption spectroscopy method. After the spill, the water management authority initially focused on acid dosing of surface waters to lower pH and was effective in lowering both pH and metal(loid) concentrations. Among the dissolved trace metal(loid)s, arsenic and nickel levels were moderately higher in the Marcal River 2 years since the spill compared to that observed in the pre-disaster period. The concentrations of dissolved trace metal(loid)s did not exceed the European water quality standards and the US Environmental Protection Agency aquatic life criteria values (excluding one sample for cadmium). © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-2071-5

Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water of the Raba River, Hungary

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó

Publication Name: Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A Toxic Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering

Publication Date: 2013-08-24

Volume: 48

Issue: 10

Page Range: 1190-1200

Description:

The objective of this study was to investigate the concentration level and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water of the Raba River; the largest Danube tributary in Hungary. A total of 54 water samples were collected in the period of 2008-2011 and analysed for PAHs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. The total PAH concentrations (sum of the concentrations of 17 individual PAH compounds) ranged from 41 to 437 ng/L with the mean value of 111 ± 69.4 ng/L. Phenanthrene and naphthalene were the dominant species in the surface water. Using TEF approaches on the mean concentration PAH data, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenz[ah]anthracene contributed the highest carcinogenic exposure equivalent. A selected number of concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contamination. The ratios reflected a pattern of pyrogenic input as a major source of PAHs. The comparison of the total PAH concentrations observed for Raba River with other surface waters of the world confirmed that the Raba River could not be regarded as a contaminated river according to the levels of PAHs. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2013.776455

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and bed sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River

István Vass Andrea Nagyné Szabó János Szabó Gábor Simon

Publication Name: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Publication Date: 2013-06-01

Volume: 185

Issue: 6

Page Range: 4619-4631

Description:

This study was performed to elucidate the distribution, concentration trend and possible source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water and bed sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and the Moson Danube branch. A total of 217 samples (water and sediments) were collected from four different sampling sites in the period of 2001-2010 and analysed for the 16 priority US Environmental Protection Agency PAHs. Concentrations of total 16 PAHs (ΣPAHs) in water samples ranged from 25 to 1,208 ng/L, which were predominated by two- and three-ring PAHs. The ΣPAH concentrations in sediments ranged from 8.3 to 1,202.5 ng/g dry weight. Four-ring PAHs including fluoranthene and pyrene were the dominant species in sediment samples. A selected number of concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contamination. The ratios reflected a pattern of pyrogenic input as a major source of PAHs. The levels of PAHs determined were compared with other sections of the Danube and other regions of the world. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2892-6