Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater and sediments from the northern Liaodong Bay, China.
Levels, sources, and potential ecological risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface seawater and sediments from the northern Liaodong Bay of China were seasonally investigated. Total concentrations of 16 PAHs varied from 145.96ng/L to 896.58ng/L in seawater, and from 191.99ng/g to 624.44ng/g in sediments. PAH concentrations in seawater differed significantly, whereas those in sediments exhibited a relatively stable pattern across seasons. PAHs with low molecular weight were predominant in seawater, but PAHs with high molecular weight were abundant in sediments. Crop straw and coal combustion were the main PAH pollution sources. The current levels of PAHs in the northern Liaodong Bay are relatively moderate compared with those in other bays and estuaries. Sediment from all sampling sites is characterized by low to medium ecotoxicological risk. No highly negative toxic effect could occur on the organisms and ecosystems in the northern Liaodong Bay.
National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China.
Anguo
A
Zhang
National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China.
Shilan
S
Zhao
National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China.
Lili
L
Wang
Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
Xiaolong
X
Yang
National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China.
Qian
Q
Zhao
National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China.
Jingfeng
J
Fan
National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian 116023, China. Electronic address: xtyuan@nmemc.org.cn.
Xiutang
X
Yuan
D061006:Bays; D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Distribution; Ecological risk assessment; Northern Liaodong Bay; PAHs; POPs; Seawater; Sediment; Source