Distribution, sources, ecological risk and microbial response of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Qingdao bays, China

Jiaxing Lu; Mengting Li; Jingchu Tan; Mingyu He; Haiming Wu; Yan Kang; Zhen Hu; Jian Zhang; Zizhang Guo

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122687

Distribution, sources, ecological risk and microbial response of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Qingdao bays, China

Environ Pollut. 2023 Dec 1:338:122687. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122687. Epub 2023 Oct 3.

Authors

Jiaxing Lu¹, Mengting Li², Jingchu Tan¹, Mingyu He¹, Haiming Wu¹, Yan Kang³, Zhen Hu¹, Jian Zhang⁴, Zizhang Guo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
² Yantai Geological Survey Center of Coastal Zone, China Geological Survey, Yantai, 264004, China.
³ College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China.
⁴ Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China; College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, China.
⁵ Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China. Electronic address: guozizhang@sdu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37797927
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122687

Abstract

Bay ecosystem has garnered significant attention due to the severe threat posed by organic pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, there is a dearth of information regarding the extent of PAHs pollutant risk and its impact on microbial communities and metabolism within this environment. In this study, the distribution, sources, ecological risk, and microbial community and metabolic response of PAHs in Jiaozhou Bay, Aoshan Bay, and Lingshan Bay in Qingdao, China were investigated. The results showed that the average concentration of ∑PAHs ranged from 120 to 614 ng/L across three bays, with Jiaozhou and Aoshan Bay exhibiting a higher risk than Lingshan Bay due to an increased concentration of high-molecular-weight PAHs. Further analysis revealed a negative correlation between dissolved organic carbon concentration and ∑PAHs concentration in water. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that higher levels of PAHs can lead to decreased microbial diversity, while the abundance of PAHs-degrading bacteria is enhanced. Additionally, the Erythrobacter, Jannaschia and Ruegeria genera were found to have a significant correlation with low-molecular-weight PAH concentrations. In terms of microbial metabolism, higher PAH concentrations were beneficial for carbohydrate metabolic pathway but unfavorable for amino acid metabolic pathways and membrane transport pathways in natural bay environments. These findings provide a foundation for controlling PAHs pollution and offer insights into the impact of PAHs on bacterial communities and metabolism in natural bay environments.

Keywords: Bay ecosystem; Ecological risk assessment; Microbial community; Microbial metabolism; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

MeSH terms

Bays / chemistry
China
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Geologic Sediments / chemistry
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons* / analysis
Risk Assessment
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Water Pollutants, Chemical
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons