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- Title
Distribution and sources of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments of the Pearl River estuary, China.
- Authors
Zhang, Jian-Dong; Wang, You-Shao; Cheng, Hao; Jiang, Zhao-Yu; Sun, Cui-Ci; Wu, Mei-Lin
- Abstract
The Pearl River delta, one of the most prosperous economically region in China, has experienced significant contaminant inputs. However, the dynamics of pollutants in the Pearl River estuary and the adjacent coastal areas are still unclear at present. In the paper, distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in the surface sediments of the Pearl River estuary. The total PAHs concentrations ranged from 126.08 to 3828.58 ng/g with a mean value of 563.52 ng/g, whereas the highest PAHs were observed in Guangzhou channel. Among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 16 priority PAHs, PAHs with 3-4 rings exhibited relative higher levels. A positive relationship was found between PAHs and total organic carbon. The source analysis further showed that the major sources of PAHs in the Pearl River estuary were originated from the pyrolytic inputs, reflecting a mixed energy structure such as wood, coal and petroleum combustion. In summary, although PAHs in Lingding Bay and the adjacent coastal areas of the Pearl River estuary exhibited a relatively low pollution level, the relatively high pollution level of PAHs in Guangzhou channel will be attended.
- Subjects
PEARL River Estuary (China); POLYCYCLIC aromatic hydrocarbons &; the environment; SEDIMENTS; TERRITORIAL waters; UNITED States. Environmental Protection Agency; ESTUARINE ecology
- Publication
Ecotoxicology, 2015, Vol 24, Issue 7/8, p1643
- ISSN
0963-9292
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10646-015-1503-z