Occurrence, source identification, and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the Pearl River Delta, China

Haiyan Li; Zini Lai; Yanyi Zeng; Yuan Gao; Wanling Yang; Yongzhan Mai; Chao Wang

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112666

Occurrence, source identification, and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the Pearl River Delta, China

Mar Pollut Bull. 2021 Sep:170:112666. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112666. Epub 2021 Jun 26.

Authors

Haiyan Li¹, Zini Lai², Yanyi Zeng³, Yuan Gao³, Wanling Yang³, Yongzhan Mai³, Chao Wang³

Affiliations

¹ Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Fishery Resources and Environment in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Pearl River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology, Guangzhou 510380, China.
² Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China. Electronic address: znlai01@prfri.ac.cn.
³ Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China.

PMID: 34186448
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112666

Abstract

The pollution characteristics, sources, and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediment samples from the river networks and outlets of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) were investigated. The total PAH concentrations were in the range of 69.1-1297 ng g^-1 in river networks and 56.6-617 ng g^-1 in river outlets. The results of source identification showed that PAHs in sediments were mainly derived from combined sources of coke tar and liquid fossil fuel combustion, coal/wood combustion, and petroleum contamination. The ecological risks of PAHs were evaluated based on sediment quality guidelines (SQG), mean probable effects levels quotient values (PEL-Q), and the toxicity equivalence factor (TEQ_BaP) method. The ecological risks of PAHs in sediments were at moderate levels in the Pearl River Delta. Although no high risk was found, regular and continuous monitoring of PAHs in sediments needs to be performed.

Keywords: Ecological risks; Pearl River Delta; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Source.

MeSH terms

China
Environmental Monitoring
Geologic Sediments
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons* / analysis
Risk Assessment
Rivers
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Water Pollutants, Chemical