Concentration of phthalates in the atmospheric surface layer in a monsoon climate conditions (the case of Vladivostok city)

T. I. Vitkina; D. N. Cherenkov; E. V. Kondratieva

doi:10.24057/2071-9388-2026-4114

Concentration of phthalates in the atmospheric surface layer in a monsoon climate conditions (the case of Vladivostok city)

T. I. Vitkina, D. N. Cherenkov, E. V. Kondratieva

https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2026-4114

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Abstract

The study is aimed at assessing the concentration of phthalic acid esters (dibutyl phthalate – DBP, diisobutyl phthalate – DIBP, diethylhexyl phthalate – DEHP) in suspended particles of the atmospheric surface layer in monsoon climate conditions of Vladivostok city. The relevance of the work is due to the paucity of data on airborne phthalate pollution in the territory of the Russian Federation and the unique climatic conditions of the region influencing their distribution. Samples were taken during the period of 2014–2022 in two zones, specifically, the urban area (Vtoraya Rechka) and the background area (Russky Island). The gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was used for the sample analysis. It has been found that the DBP and DEHP concentrations in the urban area are significantly higher than those in the background area (6.22 and 10.39 ng/m3 versus 3.34 and 8.61 ng/m3, respectively), which is associated with the presence of anthropogenic sources. Almost no differences between the investigated zones were revealed for DIBP concentration (7.17 and 6.08 ng/m³). This homogeneity likely results from a combination of widespread source distribution and the physicochemical properties governing its environmental transport. The analysis showed significant negative correlations of phthalate concentrations with key meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, wind speed; r = 0.60–0.84) and a strong positive correlation with vehicle traffic intensity (r = 0.72–0.77), confirming the influence of anthropogenic and natural factors on the distribution of phthalates. Concentrations of phthalates in Vladivostok turned out to be lower than in Asian industrial cities but higher than in European cities. The research outcomes can be used when developing measures to reduce phthalate emissions and predicting their concentrations in a monsoon climate conditions.

Keywords

phthalates, atmospheric surface layer, solid suspended particles, monsoon climate

About the Authors

T. I. Vitkina

Vladivostok Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration – Research Institute of Medical Climatology and Rehabilitative Treatmen
Russian Federation

73g Russkaya Street, Vladivostok 690105

D. N. Cherenkov

73g Russkaya Street, Vladivostok 690105

E. V. Kondratieva

73g Russkaya Street, Vladivostok 690105

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Review

For citations:

Vitkina T.I., Cherenkov D.N., Kondratieva E.V. Concentration of phthalates in the atmospheric surface layer in a monsoon climate conditions (the case of Vladivostok city). GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY. 2026;19(2):151-158. https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2026-4114

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