Pollution survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water of Hangzhou, China.
The concentrations of 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were simultaneously measured for five times (July and November 1999-2002) in four water bodies of Hangzhou, China. To investigate possible sources of PAH contamination, sediments, soils, runoff water and atmospheric particles of the region were also analyzed for their PAH contents. The maximum levels of PAHs in the water bodies (34.4-67.7 microg/l) were found in July, while significantly lower PAH concentrations (4.7-15.3 microg/l) were measured in November. The contamination is substantial and it may have resulted in acute toxic effects on aquatic organisms. The measured PAH concentrations in sediments and soils (224-4222 ng/g), runoff water (8.3 microg/l) and air particles (2.3 microg/m(3)) are discussed in relation to concentrations and patterns found in the surface water bodies. Comparison of PAH levels in sediments and soils led to the conclusion that the erosion of soil material does not contribute significantly to the contamination of sediments. The atmospheric PAH deposition to water bodies in the city area of Hangzhou was estimated to be 530 tons/a, while the contribution of surface runoff water was estimated to be 30.7 tons/a. The ratios of selected PAH were then used to illuminate the possible origin of PAHs in the examined samples (petrogenic, pyrogenic).
Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Xixi Campus, Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310028, China. zlz@zju.edu.cn
Lizhong
L
Zhu
Baoliang
B
Chen
Jing
J
Wang
Hongxin
H
Shen
D000393:Air Pollutants; D002681:China; D003625:Data Collection; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical