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Seasonal and Diurnal Variations of BTEX in Ambient Air from a Site Impacted by the Oil Industry in Southeast Mexico

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Abstract

Atmospheric concentrations of BTEX were measured in an urban site located in the vicinity of an oil storage-distribution facility in Paraiso, Tabasco, Mexico. Samples were collected during two seasons (nortes 2018 and dry 2019). The relative abundance of BTEX mean concentrations was: toluene (5.24 µg m−3) > ethylbenzene (3.92 µg m−3) > m, p-xylene (3.89 µg m−3) > benzene (2.43 µg m−3). BTEX concentrations had a clear diurnal and seasonal pattern, showing higher levels during the dry season due to differences in wind conditions, rainfall patterns and temperature. Statistical analysis showed significant positive correlations among BTEX, indicating that these compounds had common sources. Interspecies ratios revealed that BTEX were originated from sources beyond vehicular traffic and that they were influenced by the transport of local air masses. The assessment of lifetime cancer risk showed that the population in the study area is at possible risk of developing cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Calle 56 Num. 4 Esq. Ave. Concordia, Col. Benito Juárez, C.P. 24180, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico

    Rosa María Cerón Bretón, Julia Griselda Ceron Bretón, Martha Patricia Uc Chi & Reyna del Carmen Lara Severino

  2. Department of Mathematical Sciences, Atmospheric Science Group, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA

    Jonathan W. D. Kahl

  3. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CECyT 17 León. Boulevard Caliope Num. 1055, Col. Las Joyas, León, 7738, Guanajuato, Mexico

    Simón Eduardo Carranco Lozada

  4. Laboratorio de Aerosoles Atmosféricos, Centro de Ciencias de La Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Investigación Científica S/N, 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico

    María de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes & Rocío García Martínez

Authors
  1. Rosa María Cerón Bretón
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  2. Julia Griselda Ceron Bretón
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  3. Jonathan W. D. Kahl
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  4. Martha Patricia Uc Chi
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  5. Simón Eduardo Carranco Lozada
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  6. María de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes
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  7. Rocío García Martínez
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  8. Reyna del Carmen Lara Severino
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Correspondence to Rosa María Cerón Bretón.

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Bretón, R.M.C., Bretón, J.G.C., Kahl, J.W.D. et al. Seasonal and Diurnal Variations of BTEX in Ambient Air from a Site Impacted by the Oil Industry in Southeast Mexico. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 108, 212–218 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03379-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03379-1

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