[Distribution and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Karst Groundwater System in a Strongly Industrial City]

To understand the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in karst groundwater in a strongly industrial city, the authors collected 23 groundwater samples in the water and dry period in Liuzhou using component spectra of 16 types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in combination with the physical and chemical properties and analyzed the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and sources of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in karst groundwater in heavy industrial city. The results show that the average concentration of ∑PAHs in the groundwater in the wet period has an order of Liubei District > Liudong District > Liuxi District > Jila Underground River and the concentration proportion of PAHs decreases with the increase of the molecular weight, while the order in the dry period is Jila Underground River > Liubei District > Liuxi District > Liudong District. The PAHs in the groundwater during the dry season have a high pollution level, while a low pollution level is observed in the wet season. The main sources of PAHs are organic matter burns at high temperature such as fossil fuel, which are produced by human activities such as industrial processes, transportation, heating, and cooking.