title: Combined effects of land reclamation, channel dredging upon the bioavailable concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Victoria Harbour sediment, Hong Kong.
abstract: The up-to-date concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment materials of Victoria Harbour was investigated so as to evaluate the pollution potential associated with the reclamation projects in Hong Kong. A total of 100 sediment samples were collected at 20 locations. Except the control point in reservoir, the PAHs concentrations were detectable levels all sites (131-628.3ng/g, dw) and such values were higher than Dutch Target and Intervention Values (the New Dutch standard in 2016). The PAHs concentration indicating that construction waste and wastewater discharges were the main pollutant sources. Results of correlation in single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) studies also revealed that the PAHs concentration was highly correlated (<0.01) with DNA migration (i.e. the length of tail moment of fish cells) in 5mg/ml of PAHs. The above observation indicates that the PAHs present in the sediment may substantially effect the marine ecosystem. Although the dredged sediment can be a useful sea-filling material for land reclamation; however, the continuing leaching of PAHs and its impact on the aquatic environment need to be studied further.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: J T K
authors.initials: JTK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Department of History, Shue Yan University, Hong Kong, China; Upper Iowa University, 605 Washington St, Fayette, IA 52142, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: P Y K
authors.initials: PYK
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: Department of History, Shue Yan University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Sciences, Institute of Vocational Education (Kwai Chung), Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: kklyung@hkbu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: K K L
authors.initials: KKL
authors.lastname: Yung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D020552:Comet Assay; D060389:Construction Industry; D004249:DNA Damage; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006723:Hong Kong; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: PAHs; Reclamation; Sediment; Single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay); Victoria Harbour