Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in the surface sediments from inter-tidal areas of Kenting coast, Taiwan

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in inter-tidal sediments of the Kenting coast, Taiwan, to assess the levels and origin of PAHs, and to provide useful information on the potential ecological risk of PAHs to benthic organisms. The total concentrations of 38 PAHs ranged from 0.2 to 493 ng/g dry weight. The high variation in total PAH concentrations was caused by the sand content of the sediment in the area. Compared with other coasts and bays in the world, the concentrations of PAHs in the inter-tidal surface sediment of the Kenting coast is low to moderate. Based on the sediment quality guidelines, the total PAH concentrations were below the effects range low value, indicating that the PAH levels in the Kenting area were within minimal effects ranges for benthic organisms. Principal component analysis and isomer ratios were analyzed to identify the contamination source in the inter-tidal surface sediment of the Kenting coast. The results of compounds' pattern and origin analysis suggest that the source of PAHs in the inter-tidal surface sediment of the Kenting coast is the combustion of petroleum and biomass.

Occurrence and distribution of anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants in coastal sediments and mud shrimps from the wetland of central Taiwan

“…The preparation and extraction of sediment samples and mud shrimp (A. edulis) were conducted as described by previous studies [20,21]. Briefly, about 5 g of dried sediment and shrimp of each sample were ground finely with anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 in a mortar pestle, following by extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus for 24 h with hexane and acetone (1:1; v/v).…”

“…The total organic carbon (TOC) content in the sediment was determined by using an Elementar Vario EL III (Exeter Analyutical Inc, Germany) after removal of inorganic carbon. [19,21]. For each sample, three replicates were used to determine the TOC.…”

Spatiotemporal distributions and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface seawater of Laizhou Bay, China

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a unique class of the persistent organic pollutants with two or more fused aromatic rings which are commonly found in the environment (Malik et al, 2011;Cheng et al, 2012;Mojiri et al, 2019;Han et al, 2021). PAHs are generated by various natural and anthropogenic processes including petroleum spills, municipal wastes, and thermal combustion processes of fossil fuels and biomass (Simoneit, 1984;Yunker et al, 2002;Lima et al, 2005;Blanchard and Shaw, 2021).…”

“…In view of the seriously long-term pollution to marine environment and systems caused by PAHs, much work has been done in the study of PAHs in marine ecosystems including seawater, sediments and organisms (Cheng et al, 2010;Malik et al, 2011;Botsou and Hatzianestis, 2012;Cheng et al, 2012;Han et al, 2021;Li et al, 2021). However, most of the existing work focused on the sediments of Laizhou Bay (Liu et al, 2009;Hu et al, 2011;Zhang et al, 2016;Rodrigues et al, 2018;Han et al, 2019;Han et al, 2020, Blanchard and Shaw, 2021, Zhang et al, 2021, Shi et al, 2022.…”

Transport behaviors of humic acid, kaolin and kaolin–humic acid compound colloids on naphthalene in floating islands with biofilmed fillers

“…Considered as the ring hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formally defined as lacking further branching substituent off the ring structures (Cheng et al 2012;Rao et al 2014;Vane et al 2014;Ozaki et al 2015). PAHs could be accumulated and present of a serious risk without transformation on ecosystems and human health because of their biological toxicity in environment (Gu et al 2011;Lv et al 2014;Vane et al 2014;Knappenberger et al 2015).…”