Recognition of the molecular characterization and mechanisms of heterogeneously formed organic pollutants from metallurgical industries by FT-ICR-MS and GC/Q-TOF-MS

Highlights: • Non-targeted organic chemicals from metallurgical industries were characterized. • Combination of FT-ICR-MS and GC/Q-TOF-MS was firstly used for screening. • Methylation- and oxidation-related reactions were major formation mechanisms. • Lpid-like, unsaturated hydrocarbon and CRAMs were the major chemical classes. • Carboxyl-rich structures further proved metallurgical industrial emissions to air. Emissions of numerous targeted and non-targeted organic pollutants from industrial activities are one of the major contributors to the global air pollution. However, comprehensive recognition of their molecular characterization and real industrial scale mechanisms have never been achieved. Herein, by using high resolution mass spectrometry, we firstly give an insight into the molecular characterization and mechanisms of organic pollutants formed on fly ashes from secondary smelting of Al, Cu, Pb, and Zn and electric arc furnace steel-making. We found that lipid-like, unsaturated hydrocarbon and carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecule-like structures were the major chemical classes. Methylation- and oxidation-related reactions were suggested to be the major formation mechanisms. The predominance of carboxyl-rich structures in the fly ash further proved the contribution of metallurgical industrial emissions to air pollution. Findings in this study could be significant for further understanding the contribution of industrial emissions to air pollutions and conducting their source emission control.