Distribution and property of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in littoral surface sediments from the Yellow Sea, China

Abstract

Spatial distribution, composition and possible source of 10 parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in littoral surface sediments from the Yellow Sea were investigated. The total PAHs concentrations varied from 12.4 to 8294.0 mug/kg dry weights, and the sites with the highest levels were all located in Dalian Bay. At most sampling sites, PAH components with moderate and high molecular weights were dominant, while percentage of low molecular weight species was higher at a few sites close to several harbor cities. The specific ratios of paired PAH isomeric compounds for source apportionment suggested that various pyrolytic procedures were the major origin in the Yellow Sea, whereas petrogenic cause only occurred at a small number of the monitoring sites. The averaged effect rang low (ERL) quotient for the studied PAH components was generally below the threshold value of 1.0 in most sea areas, indicated that the potential ecological risks of PAHs contamination in surface sediments were normally not high in the Yellow Sea, however, the situation in Dalian Bay should be cautioned due to the high mean ERL quotient.

Occurrence of Halogenated and Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Sediments and Eels (Anguilla anguilla) From Bizerte Lagoon, Tunisia

“…Total organic carbon (TOC) is an important parameter to evaluate the environmental status of aquatic ecosystems in marine sediment (Hu et al, 2008). Properties, such as TOC or the presence of other substances in the sediment are able to decrease or increase the bioavailability of the contaminants (Santín et al, 2016).…”

Spatial and vertical distributions of sedimentary halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in moderately polluted areas of Asia

“…To date, there are many reports on the levels of various contaminants in surface sediments and sediment cores from coastal and offshore areas of the Yellow Sea (Wu et al, 2001;Hu et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2009;Jiao et al, 2012;Li et al, 2012). Here, we provide the first report of Cl/BrPAH contamination of surface sediments in the Yellow Sea.…”

“…The concentrations of PAHs in sediments from Beira Lake in downtown Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, were in the range of 152e569 ng/g with an average of 329 ng/g (Pathiratne et al, 2007). The mean concentration was somewhat consistent with those of the Yellow Sea (280 ng/g) (Hu et al, 2008), Masan Bay, Korea (353 ng/g) (Khim et al, 1999), the Yalujiang River, China (290 ng/g) (Wu et al, 2003), and Lake Manzala, Egypt (363 ng/g on median concentration) (Barakat et al, 2012); these levels could be classified as moderately contaminated compared with San Francisco Bay, USA (2653e27,680 ng/g) (Pereira et al, 1996), and Pialassa Baiona, Italy (3032e87,150 ng/g) (Guerra, 2012).…”

“…The rapid industrialization and population increase in the coastal area has caused an increase in the inflow of hazardous compounds to the Yellow Sea, resulting in sedimentation and an increase in ecological risk. Indeed, historical surveys of PAHs and elements in sediment cores from the Yellow Sea reflect the economic development in China and the corresponding increase in consumption of fossil resources (Wu et al, 2001;Hu et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2009;Li et al, 2012). Sri Lanka has also undergone rapid industrialization since the 1980s; as a result, a number of critical environmental problems and issues have recently come about.…”

Occurrences, Sources, and Human Health Risk Assessments of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Marine Organisms From Temperate Coastal Area

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been widely concerned because of their teratogenicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. With the development of social economy, PAHs from industrial production, agricultural production, transportation and domestic pollution sources are increasing gradually (Hu et al, 2008;Jiao et al, 2012;Yoo et al, 2014;Tong et al, 2019). They can enter marine environment through various ways, such as wastewater discharge, atmospheric deposition, surface runoff and crude oil leakage (Heemken et al, 2000).…”