Temporal variation and spatial distribution of PAH in water of Three Gorges Reservoir during the complete impoundment period

Abstract

Bioavailable concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in water of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) using semipermeable membrane devices during the period of completely impounding water. ∑PAH concentrations in water of TGR in the period of completely impounding water were 15-381 ng L −1 . ∑PAH concentrations increased from town or counties to big industrialized cities in TGR, indicating urbanization effects on PAH pollution in the water. Tributaries in TGR have a certain contribution of PAH pollution to the mainstream of Yangtze River and their pollution could not be neglected. An obvious decrease of PAH concentration was observed after 175-m water impounding in 2011 in TGR. Several factors may account for this decrease, including execution of comprehensive treatment and management measures in TGR, less rainfall in 2011, and sedimentation effect caused by the dam. Passive sampling method has been successfully applied in the investigation of trace PAH in water of TGR and proved to be a useful and efficient tool for the management and sustainable development of the big reservoir. The results of the study provide valuable information about PAH pollution in the whole reservoir including some tributaries, and the pollution status is dynamically related with human activities. Therefore, PAH could be used as a marker compound or indicator in the network monitoring system to surveil and trace the pollution status in TGR.

PAHs and PCBs accumulated by SPMD-based virtual organisms and feral fish in Three Gorges Reservoir, China

“…The SPMD-based VO samplers were prepared in the manner described in our previous paper (Wang et al, 2013a). Briefly, the semipermeable membranes were prepared using lay-flat polyethylene tubing (from VWR Ismaning, Germany; 2.5 cm wide and 65 μm thick).…”

“…The tubing was cut into 29 cm pieces and 700 μL of triolein (Sigma, Munich, Germany, 99%) were pipetted into each piece of tubing before sealing the ends. For chemical analysis, the triolein was spiked with 16 13 Clabeled PAHs as performance reference compounds (PRC) (Wang et al, 2013a). The prepared VOs were stored in closely aluminum foil sealed heat treated 10 mL glass vials at −28°C and kept cooled during transportation until deployment.…”

“…Fish samples were extracted by Accelerated Solvent Extraction System (Dionex ASC 200) with a mixture of extraction solvents n-hexane/acetone (3:1 v/v). The extraction method for VO was according to our previous study (Wang et al, 2013a). In brief, the VO was cut into small pieces and extracted in 100 mL cyclohexane overnight at 200 rpm on a constant left-right shaker.…”

PAH distribution and mass fluxes in the Three Gorges Reservoir after impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam

“…For this work, concentration data gathered during previous sampling campaigns in the TGR have been used which are already published to a large extent (Wang et al, 2009(Wang et al, , 2013 Fig. 1).…”

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) inducers and estrogen receptor (ER) activities in surface sediments of Three Gorges Reservoir, China evaluated with in vitro cell bioassays

“…In the recent years, the water quality in TGR has improved, as has been shown by chemical analyses (organic priority pollutants) as well as by monitoring hydrological parameters (Wang et al 2012;Yin et al 2011). Nevertheless, parts of the pollutants settle with deposition of suspended solids and enter into sediments (Wang et al 2013). Thus, sediments have been recognized as both a major sink and a potential source for persistent toxic chemicals in aquatic systems (Ahlf et al 2002;Forstner and Westrich 2005) and are well known to negatively affect aquatic organism (Karlsson et al 2008).…”