Pollution Level and Health Risk Assessment for the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon in the Marine Environment, and Aquatic Products From the Southern Sea Area of Zhejiang Province, China

Abstract

In order to evaluate the pollution level and risk of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), seawater, sediments, and organisms were sampled from the southern sea area of Zhejiang province (Yangtze River Delta, China) between 2017 and 2019. Petroleum hydrocarbons were widely present in the aquatic environment as well as in products, and their concentrations were highly variable. The average value of PI exceeded 1 from 2017 to 2018, 45.46% to 69.19% samples for seawater and 56.87% to 50.00% samples for sediment were polluted. The results showed significant differences in the TPH concentration in various aquatic organism species. The average TPH value in aquatic organisms order was bivalve＞shrimp＞crab＞fish, further reflecting the ability to accumulate and metabolize TPH exists differently among aquatic organisms within the same culturing pond environment. It is relatively safe to eat aquatic products based on the exposure risk index far below threshold values in this study. Therefore, it will be prudent to undertake regular monitoring of TPH to ensure effective ecosystem functioning as well as seafood safety in Zhejiang southern ocean.