Monthly variation and vertical distribution of parent and alkyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in estuarine water column: Role of suspended particulate matter.
The distribution and interaction of parent and alkyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (EPA-34 PAHs) among the multiple phases were investigated in estuarine water column of Humen outlet over a 12-months period. The water column was divided into 5 vertical layers, and each layer included dissolved phase, large- and small-size suspended particular matter (SPM). Regarding to EPA-34 PAHs, alkyl homologues were abundant, especially in the dissolved phase and small-size SPM. Moreover, SPM contributed a large proportion of EPA-34 PAHs in the water column especially for the large-size SPM, which therefore play an important role for the transportation of these pollutants. The EPA-34 PAHs concentrations in water column during wet season were higher than those in the dry season due to the decreasing of KD values which were affected by TSS and salinity obviously. Generally, the EPA-34 PAHs concentrations in the water column increased with the increasing of water depth, most of the highest concentrations of EPA-34 PAHs were found in the near-bottom layer due to the rapid sinking of large-size SPM and sediment resuspension. Additionally, during the ebb-flood tide period, the EPA-34 PAHs concentrations in different phases of the water column fluctuated oppositely based on the effects of hydrodynamic conditions.
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China.
Xiaowei
X
Wang
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China; MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China.
Ke
K
Yuan
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China.
Baowei
B
Chen
MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China.
Li
L
Lin
Guangdong Research Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower, Guangzhou 510610, People's Republic of China.
Bensheng
B
Huang
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China; MOE Key Laboratory of Aquatic Product Safety, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: cesltg@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Tiangang
T
Luan
D002681:China; D063366:Estuaries; D055868:Floods; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000737:chemistry*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D054712:Salinity; D012621:Seasons; D014867:Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D052638:Particulate Matter; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water
Alkyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Monthly variation; Pearl River Estuary; Suspended particular matter; Vertical distribution