Occurrence and phase distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in riverine runoff of the Pearl River Delta, China.
The occurrence and phase distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in waters at the eight riverine outlets of the Pearl River Delta (China) were examined based on a monthly sampling program from March 2005 to February 2006. The total concentrations of PAHs in the aqueous phase and suspended particulate matter (SPM) combined ranged from 55.5 to 522 ng/L, at the mid level of the global values in rivers and estuaries. No clear temporal and spatial trends of PAH concentrations were found. However, the concentrations of PAHs associated with SPM coincided with the monthly precipitation of Guangzhou, indicating the importance of atmospheric deposition. The PAHs found in the region were likely derived from a combined pyrolytic and petrogenic origin, as suggested by the molecular indices of PAHs. Normalized partition coefficient (K(oc)) between water and SPM was correlated with octanol-water partition coefficient (K(ow)) to understand the environmental behavior of PAHs.
Wang
Ji-Zhong
JZ
State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China.
Nie
Yun-Feng
YF
Luo
Xian-Lin
XL
Zeng
Eddy Y
EY
D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005843:Geography; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical