Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater and sediments from the northern Liaodong Bay, China

Anguo Zhang; Shilan Zhao; Lili Wang; Xiaolong Yang; Qian Zhao; Jingfeng Fan; Xiutang Yuan

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.005

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater and sediments from the northern Liaodong Bay, China

Mar Pollut Bull. 2016 Dec 15;113(1-2):592-599. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.005. Epub 2016 Sep 10.

Authors

Anguo Zhang¹, Shilan Zhao², Lili Wang², Xiaolong Yang³, Qian Zhao², Jingfeng Fan², Xiutang Yuan⁴

Affiliations

¹ National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China.
² National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China.
³ Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
⁴ National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China. Electronic address: xtyuan@nmemc.org.cn.

PMID: 27622925
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.005

Abstract

Levels, sources, and potential ecological risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface seawater and sediments from the northern Liaodong Bay of China were seasonally investigated. Total concentrations of 16 PAHs varied from 145.96ng/L to 896.58ng/L in seawater, and from 191.99ng/g to 624.44ng/g in sediments. PAH concentrations in seawater differed significantly, whereas those in sediments exhibited a relatively stable pattern across seasons. PAHs with low molecular weight were predominant in seawater, but PAHs with high molecular weight were abundant in sediments. Crop straw and coal combustion were the main PAH pollution sources. The current levels of PAHs in the northern Liaodong Bay are relatively moderate compared with those in other bays and estuaries. Sediment from all sampling sites is characterized by low to medium ecotoxicological risk. No highly negative toxic effect could occur on the organisms and ecosystems in the northern Liaodong Bay.

Keywords: Distribution; Ecological risk assessment; Northern Liaodong Bay; PAHs; POPs; Seawater; Sediment; Source.

MeSH terms

Bays
China
Environmental Monitoring
Geologic Sediments*
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis*
Seawater*
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Water Pollutants, Chemical