title: Distribution, sources and ecological risk assessment of PAHs in surface sediments from Guan River Estuary, China.
abstract: The contamination of surface sediments in Guan River Estuary, China, by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been fully investigated. Total concentrations of 21 PAHs ranged from 90 to 218 ng/g with an average of 132.7 ng/g, which is relatively low in comparison with other estuaries around the world. PAH concentrations appeared to be positively correlated with clay content and negatively correlated with sediment grain size. Source identification implied that the PAHs originated mainly from pyrolytic sources. However, source patterns may be continuously changed to a petrogenic origin due to the heavy ship traffic and continuous discharge of oily sewage in this area. The PAH levels were also compared with international Sediments Quality Guidelines and Sediments Quality Criteria, and the results indicated low negative effects for most individual PAHs. However, toxic effects related to FLO would occur occasionally in most locations in the estuary.
authors: College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Lianyungang Environmental Monitoring Central Station, Lianyungang 222001, China. Electronic address: xinranhejs@163.com.
authors: Xinran
authors: X
authors: He
authors: College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: Pang
authors: Lianyungang Environmental Monitoring Central Station, Lianyungang 222001, China.
authors: Xiaojuan
authors: X
authors: Song
authors: Lianyungang Environmental Protection Bureau, Lianyungang 222001, China.
authors: Binlin
authors: B
authors: Chen
authors: College of Marine Science & Technology, Huaihai Institute of Technology, Lianyungang 222005, China.
authors: Zhihua
authors: Z
authors: Feng
authors: Lianyungang Environmental Monitoring Central Station, Lianyungang 222001, China.
authors: Yuqin
authors: Y
authors: Ma
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Ecological risk; Guan River Estuary; Molecular ratios; PAHs; Sediment quality guidelines; Surface sediment