“…Large amounts of PAHs have been discharged into the ocean, predominantly through human activities associated with combustion and petroleum production (Bouloubassi et al, 2012;Bragato et al, 2012;Callén et al, 2014;Carver et al, 1986;Kaivosoja et al, 2012;Lea-Langton et al, 2013;Readman et al, 2002). Previous studies have shown that PAHs are widely distributed in marine aquatic environments, such as estuaries, coastal areas, wetlands, off-shore areas and the deep sea due to anthropogenic processes and their comparatively long half-life (Counihan et al, 2014;Jörundsdóttir et al, 2014;Oros et al, 2007;Porte and Escartín, 2000;Yancheshmeh et al, 2014). Many studies have shown that there were also PAH contaminants in sediments from marine systems around China, including the Bohai, Yellow, East China and South seas (Deng et al, 2013;Hung et al, 2014;Ma et al, 2001;Men et al, 2009;Yang, 2000;Zong et al, 2014).…”