Distribution characteristics and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Liao River drainage basin, northeast China

Abstract

The Liao River drainage basin, which is one of China's seven major rivers basins, is located in northeast China. This region is characterized by important industrial bases including steel factories and oil and chemical plants, all of which have the potential to contribute pollutants to the drainage basin. In this study, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the major rivers of the Liao River drainage basin were identified and quantified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The total PAH concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 76.5 μg/g (dry weight) in SPM and 32.6 to 108 ng/L in surface water, respectively. Low-ring PAHs (including two-and three-ring PAHs) were dominant in all PAH samples, and the level of low-ring PAHs in surface water was higher than that in SPM. The proportion of two-ring PAHs was the highest, accounting for an average of 68.2 % of the total PAHs in surface water, while the level of three-ring PAHs was the highest in SPM, with an average of 66.3 %. When compared with other river systems, the concentrations of PAHs in the Liao River drainage basin were lower. Identification of the emission sources based on diagnostic ratios suggested petroleum and fossil fuel combustion were important contribution to PAHs in the study area.

Sources and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and air of the Yangtze River

“…The composition profile characteristics of PAHs in water with the dominance of LMW congeners may be due to the higher water solubility and low octanol–water coefficients of LMW PAHs compared to HMW PAHs. 16 Nap dominated the compositional profiles of the PAHs in the dissolved phase ranging from 28.6% to 89.9% (Table S2†), which is consistent with the findings of the Liaohe River, 2 Tiaozi River, 33 and Yinma River. 34 In addition, Nap, Acy, Ace, Fl, Bap were ubiquitous congeners with a detection frequency of 100%.…”

“…where msPAF TMOA,i is potential affected fraction for each TMoA, and it can be calculated by eqn (2).…”

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are semi-volatile organic micropollutants, 1 are generally formed by the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials including natural and manmade sources. 2 PAHs are ubiquitous in the ambient environment, and have been detected in air, water, soil, sediment, biota, and food worldwide with higher concentrations. 1,3,4 Because of their toxicity, mutagenic effects, and carcinogenic threats to human beings and ecosystem, 5,6 16 types of PAHs have been identified as the priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.…”

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination of soils and water around automobile repair workshops in Eket metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

“…PAHs being a by-product from mechanic activities are usually carcinogenic even at very low concentration. Leaching through soil and surface run-offs have been observed to be the major sources which Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) enters underground water, fresh and marine surface waters [11]. This has posed serious effect on human health.…”

Groundwater flow path determination during riverbank filtration affected by groundwater exploitation: a case study of Liao River, Northeast China

“…The main sources of organic pollutants in the Liao River are industrial wastewater, urban domestic sewage, and agricultural and livestock pollution.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are typical organic environmental pollutants. Monitoring data show that in 2005, 2007, and 2010, the PAH concentrations in the river were 946.1-13 448.5, 216-1360, and 32.6-108.5 ng L −1 , respectively(Guo et al 2007, Han et al 2009, Hu et al 2016. The concentrations of fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene at different depths and locations in the study area are plotted in Figure…”