title: Residual Distribution and Risk Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Surface Sediments of the Pearl River Delta, South China.
abstract: We analyzed residual PCBs in surface sediments at 19 sites in the Pearl River Delta in the wet and dry seasons. Seven indicative PCB congeners (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB153, PCB138 and PCB180) were detected in the surface sediments, among which the detection rate and mass concentrations of PCB52 were the highest. Total concentrations of the seven PCBs ranged from 19.8 to 111 μg/kg, with an average of 48.2 μg/kg. For the spatial distribution, the sum of the seven PCB (∑PCB) concentrations for the stations that were located in the city region of the Pearl River Delta were significantly higher than the ∑PCB concentrations for the eight outlets of the Pearl River Delta (p < 0.05). According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ERL and ERM guideline concentrations, the PCB concentrations may occasionally lead to adverse effects, especially in the dry season.
authors.affiliation: Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Fishery Ecoenvironment Monitor and Evaluation Function Laboratory of Pearl River Valley, Guangzhou, 510380, China, znlai01@163.com.
authors.forename: Zini
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Xiuli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yanyi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Qianfu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls