Distinct anthropogenic signatures: A comparative analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from two southeastern Chinese bays

Yingying Qian; Haowen Zheng; Xia Ouyang; Yan Lin; Minggang Cai

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116489

Distinct anthropogenic signatures: A comparative analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from two southeastern Chinese bays

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 May 16:203:116489. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116489. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yingying Qian¹, Haowen Zheng², Xia Ouyang², Yan Lin³, Minggang Cai⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen 361021, China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Membrane Research and Application, Xiamen 361024, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Xiamen Marine Vocational and Technical College, Xiamen 361102, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry and Application Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; College of Oceanography and Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
³ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen 361021, China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Membrane Research and Application, Xiamen 361024, China. Electronic address: yanlin@xmut.edu.cn.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Xiamen Marine Vocational and Technical College, Xiamen 361102, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry and Application Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; College of Oceanography and Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. Electronic address: mgcai@xmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38759463
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116489

Abstract

Sansha and Luoyuan Bay are influenced by different industrial structure, but the sources and pollution status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially alkylated PAHs, are poorly understood. We studied 25 PAHs in surface sediments from the two bays. The results showed that PAHs concentrations in Sansha and Luoyuan Bay sediment range from 6.54 to 479.28 ng/g and 118.82 to 2984.09 ng/g, respectively. Alkylated PAHs dominated in Sansha (48.86 % of Σ₂₅PAHs), while 3-ring PAHs dominated in Luoyuan (36.32 % of ∑₂₅PAHs). Results of sources analysis indicated oil spills as the main PAHs source in Sansha, and domestic emissions and fossil fuel combustion in Luoyuan. Ecological risk assessment of showed low sediment risk, but in Luoyuan was higher than in Sansha. Compared with Luoyuan Bay, Sansha Bay emits less industrial pollutants, so the pollution is lower than Luoyuan Bay. Increased attention to protecting Luoyuan Bay is recommended.

Keywords: Ecological Risk and Health Risk Assessment; PAHs; PMF; Source analysis; Southeastern Chinese Bays.