Sources and spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal sediments of the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay)

This contribution characterises the sources and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of the Basque coast (Bay of Biscay). Different source characterisation approaches (i.e. GIS assisted-chemometrics, PAH diagnostic ratios and analyses of composition profiles) were used in combination to successfully identify the factors determining the origin and distribution of PAHs. Urban/industrial combustion processes were identified as the main PAH source. However, the analysis of PAH composition patterns and diagnostic ratios identified secondary natural and petrogenic PAH sources on small spatial scales. The median ∑18PAH concentration ranged from 66 μg kg^?1 (d.w.) to 7021 μg kg^?1 (d.w.). The Ibaizabal estuary, which supports most of the anthropogenic pressure in the region (i.e. urban development, industrialisation, commercial and recreational harbours), also showed the highest PAH concentrations. On the shelf, human activities, hydrodynamic conditions and geomorphological features led to spatial differences in the PAH concentrations among sectors: the offshore and west sectors were characterised by higher concentrations, while the lowest values were found in the mid and east sectors. The results enhance the knowledge on PAH-related contamination processes and could be used to support the environmental assessment process required under current European marine legislation.     

Comprehensive characterization of PAHs profile in Serbian soils for conventional and organic production: potential sources and risk assessment

This study presents a comprehensive characterization of occurrence and levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in arable soils used for conventional and organic production in northern and central part of Serbia as well as cross-border region with Hungary. Furthermore, this study includes a characterization of PAH sources and carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic human health risk for PAHs accumulated in analysed arable soils. The total concentration of 16 PAHs varied between 55 and 4584 µg kg^?1 in agricultural soil used for conventional production and between 90 and 523 µg kg^?1 in agricultural soil used for organic production. High molecular weight (HMW) PAHs were dominant compounds with similar contribution in both soil types (86% and 80% in conventional and in organic soil, respectively). Principal component analysis and diagnostic ratios of selected PAHs were used for identification of PAH sources in the analysed soils. Additionally, positive matrix factorization was applied for quantitative assessment. The results indicated that the major sources of PAHs were vehicle emissions, biomass and wood combustion, accounting for?~?93% of PAHs. Exposure of farmers assessed through carcinogenic (TCR) and non-carcinogenic (THQ) risk did not exceed the acceptable threshold (TCR?<?10^–6 and THQ?<?1). Oral ingestion was the main exposure route which accounted for 57% of TCR and 80% of THQ. It was followed by dermal contact. This investigation gives a valuable data insight into the PAHs presence in arable soils and reveals the absence of environmental and health risk. It also acknowledges the importance of comprehensive monitoring of these persistent pollutants.

     

Spatial distribution and temporal trends of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediment from Songhua River, China

The spatial and temporal distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Songhua River, Harbin, China, were investigated. Seventy-seven samples, 42 water and 35 sediment samples, were collected in April and October of 2007 and January of 2008. The concentrations of total PAHs in water ranged from 163.54 to 2,746.25 ng/L with the average value of 934.62 ng/L, which were predominated by 2- and 3-ring PAHs. The concentrations of total 16 PAHs in sediment ranged from 68.25 to 654.15 ng/g dw with the average value of 234.15 ng/g dw, which were predominated by 4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs. Statistical analysis of the PAH concentrations shown that the highest concentrations of the total PAHs were found during rainy season (October of 2007) and the lowest during snowy season (January of 2008). Ratios of specific PAH compounds, including fluoranthene/(fluoranthene + pyrene) (Flu/(Flu + Pyr)) and phenanthrene/(phenanthrene + anthracene) (An/(Ant + PhA)), were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contaminations. These ratios reflected pyrolytic inputs of PAHs in Songhua River water and a mixed pattern of pyrolytic and petrogenic inputs of PAHs in the Songhua River sediments. Ecotoxicological risk levels calculated for PAHs suggested that there were individual PAHs, which can less frequently cause biological impairment in some samples, but no samples had constituents that may frequently cause biological impairment. Total toxic benzo[a]pyrene equivalent of ΣcPAHs varied from 10.03 to 29.7 ng/g dw and from 0.36 to 1.92 ng/g dw for total toxic tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent. The level of PAHs indicated a low toxicological risk to this area.     

Assessment of PAHs in water and fish tissues from Great Bitter and El Temsah lakes,Suez Canal,as chemical markers of pollution sources

Sea water and fish tissue samples were collected from nine sampling stations from the Great Bitter and El Temsah lakes in the Suez Canal and analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The compositions of PAH determined in the dissolved fraction of sea water were measured in order to use them as chemical markers for identifying different sources of PAH pollution in this region. PAHs determined in fish tissues were measured for comparison with human health standards as consumption. The total mean PAHs concentrations in the sea water samples ranged from 0.28 to 39.57 μg l^?1 with an overall mean of 10.78 and 12.38 μg l^?1 for El Temsah and Bitter Lakes water, respectively. Total PAHs fractions recorded in muscle tissues of all different Osteicthyes fishes collected from Great Bitter lakes ranged from 5.8 to 218.5 μg g^?1 with an overall mean of 57.98 μg g^?1 during all seasons. However, they ranged from 68 to 623 μg g^?1 with an overall mean of 87.69 μg g^?1 recorded in El Temsah lake during four seasons (2003–2004). Benzo(a)pyrene was the most dominant PAHs found in the sea water samples from both lakes with an average concentration of 3.8 μ g l^?1. Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (DBA) was the most dominant PAHs recorded in fish samples. A maximum of 533 μg g^?1 of DBA was recorded in Dahbana sp. collected from Bitter lakes during January 2004. However, a maximum of 68.7 μ g g^?1 was recorded in Liza carinata species collected from El Temsah lake during July, 2004. The simultaneous occurrence of isomer ratios PHE/ANT<10 for all stations indicated that the major PAH input to water was from combustion of fossil fuel (pyrolytic source). The average ratios were 1.21 and 12.9 during winter (January 2004) and 4.3 and 8.63 during spring (April 2004) for all water samples of Great Bitter lakes and El Temsah lake, respectively. In addition, the present data demonstrate that PAHs from fossil fuel sources (MW<178) were the least significant source of PAHs in this region.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Syrian olive oils and their likely daily intakes

The levels of 16 US Environmental Protection Agency polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 EPA PAHs) in Syrian olive oils have been determined. Forty-two samples including commercial extra virgin and virgin olive oils, and virgin olive oils from olive mills were analyzed. Only naphthalene (NAP) was detected in all olive oil samples under investigation. Among the studied 16 EPA PAHs, the highest maximum concentration was also observed for NAP (120 μg kg^?1). Moreover, three samples exceeded the European Union (EU) maximum level of 2 μg kg^?1 for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in oils and fats, and only one sample exceeded the EU maximum level of 10 μg kg^?1 for the sum of benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, BaP, and benzo[b]fluoranthene (PAH4). The likely daily intakes of the total sum of 16 EPA PAHs, the sum of eight genotoxic PAHs, the sum of PAH4, the BaP, and the BaP equivalent through consumption of Syrian olive oils were estimated.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils around Guanting Reservoir,Beijing, China

The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑ 16PAHs) were measured by gas chromatography equipped with a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS) in 56 topsoil samples around Guanting Reservior (GTR), which is an important water source for Beijing. Low to medium levels of PAH contamination (mean=394.2±580.7 ng g^?1 dry weight (d.w.)) was evident throughout the region. In addition, localised areas of high PAH contamination near steel and cement factories were identified, with ∑ 16PAHs concentrations as high as 4110 ng/g, dry weight (d.w.). There was a significant positive correlation (r²=0.570, p<0.01) between total organic carbon content and ∑ 16PAHs concentrations. Phenanthrene was the predominant compound, accounting for 27.2% of the ∑ PAH concentration, followed by chrysene>pyrene>benzo[a]anthracene≈ benzo[b]fluoranthene≈ benzo[a]pyrene. Four-ring PAH homologues (39%) were dominant. The higher proportion of 4–6 ring homologues, molecular indices, and the spatial distribution of PAH indicated that industrial discharges, incineration of wastes and traffic discharges were the major sources of soil PAHs around the water reservoir.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in medicinal plants from Syria

The levels of 16 US Environmental Protection Agency polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (EPA PAHs) in 10 medicinal plants in different used parts of plant (leaves and flowers) have been determined. The analytical method consists of sample preparation by ultrasonic extraction with dichloromethane followed by silica gel clean-up. Subsequently, the analysis was carried out by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to both ultraviolet and fluorescence detections in series to insure the detection of all 16 EPA PAHs. It was observed that the sum of the 16 PAHs (ΣPAHs) in the investigated medicinal plants ranged from 47 to 890 μg kg^–1 where the highest ΣPAHs was found in Sage plant sample. Light PAHs were dominants in all studied medicinal plants. The sum of eight genotoxic PAHs (ΣPAH8) have shown a better indicator of the degree of contamination with carcinogenic PAHs compared to benzo[a]pyrene in these products.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in multimedia environment of Heshan coal district,Guangxi: distribution,source diagnosis and health risk assessment

Mining activities are among the major culprits of the wide occurrences of soil and water pollution by PAHs in coal district, which have resulted in ecological fragilities and health risk for local residents. Sixteen PAHs in multimedia environment from the Heshan coal district of Guangxi, South China, were measured, aiming to investigate the contamination level, distribution and possible sources and to estimate the potential health risks of PAHs. The average concentrations of 16 PAHs in the coal, coal gangue, soil, surface water and groundwater were 5114.56, 4551.10, 1280.12 ng g^?1, 426.98 and 381.20 ng L^?1, respectively. Additionally, higher soil and water PAH concentrations were detected in the vicinities of coal or coal gangue dump. Composition analysis, isomeric ratio, Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis were performed to diagnose the potential sources of PAHs in different environmental matrices, suggesting the dominant inputs of PAHs from coal/coal combustion and coal gangue in the soil and water. Soil and water guidelines and the incremental lifetime risk (ICLR) were used to assess the health risk, showing that soil and water were heavily contaminated by PAHs, and mean ICLR_{coal/coal-gangue} and mean ICLR_soil were both significantly higher than the acceptable levels (1 × 10^?4), posing high potential carcinogenic risk to residents, especially coal workers. This study highlights the environmental pollution problems and public health concerns of coal mining, particularly the potential occupational health hazards of coal miners exposed in Heshan.     

PAHs in indoor dust samples in Shanghai’s universities: levels, sources and human exposure

Given the significant amount of time people spend indoors, the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor dust and their potential risks are of great concern. In the present study, ten dust samples from lecture theatres and twelve samples from dining halls were collected from university campuses in Shanghai to investigate the PAH levels, possible sources and human exposure. The total concentrations of 18 PAHs ranged from 9.84 to 21.44?μg/g for dust samples from lecture theatres, and 9.63-44.13?μg/g for samples from dining halls. Total PAH concentrations in indoor dust samples showed a better correlation to black carbon compared to total organic carbon contents. PAHs in dining halls samples showed a similar distribution pattern with that of commercial kitchen air, which indicated that cooking activities could contribute most of the PAHs found in dining halls. Principal component analysis revealed both petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. The potential health risk for PAHs was assessed in terms of BaP equivalent carcinogenic power and estimated daily intake (EDI). Relatively high EDI values compared to other studies suggested that PAHs posed a potential threat to human health in indoor environments at Shanghai's universities.     

Oyster shell reduces PAHs and particulate matter from incense burning

This is the first report showing reduction of particle matter and PAHs from incense burning by addition of oyster shell. Worshiping ancestors and gods by burning incense sticks and joss paper is a very important tradition in many Asian regions. More than 45 % of families in Taiwan burn incense twice a day. Unlike joss paper burning, most of the incense burning occurs indoors, thus creating a risk for human health. Previous reports have indeed evidenced toxicity of incense, notably due to particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, there are few methods to reduce particle matter and PAHs from incense burning. We hypothesize that oyster shell may be used to reduce incense fumes toxicity. Indeed a large amount of unused oyster shell is discarded due to increasing seafood consumption. Here, two types of incense were made in the laboratory, and then 5–30 % of oyster shells were added to the incense to study the reduction of particle matter and PAHs. Results show that reduction of particle matter and PAH emission increased with oyster shell addition. The reduction of emission factors is ?35 % for mean particle matter, ?21 % for particle-phase PAHs, and ?37 % for benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (BaP_eq), using 30 % oyster shell additive. The addition of 10 % oyster shell reduces the burning time by 8.3 min, increases the burning rate by 3.4 mg/min, and reduces particle matter by 6.4 mg/g incense, particle-phase PAHs by 0.67 μg/g incense, and BaP_eq by 0.23 μg/g incense. The reductions of particle matter, particle-phase PAHs, and BaP_eq correspond to about 640 metric tons, 67, and 23 kg, respectively, per year. Our findings will help to produce safer and cleaner incense.     

Bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to short-neck clam (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paphia undulata</Emphasis>) from sediment matrices in mudflat ecosystem of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia

The bioaccumulation and bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were characterized in sediment and Paphia undulata (short-neck clam) from six mudflat areas in the west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. The concentrations of total PAHs varied from 357.1 to 6257.1 and 179.9 ± 7.6 to 1657.5 ± 53.9 ng g ^?1 dry weight in sediment and short-neck clam samples, respectively. PAHs can be classified as moderate to very high level of pollution in sediments and moderate to high level of pollution in short-neck clams. The diagnostic ratios of individual PAHs and principal component analysis indicate both petrogenic and pyrogenic sources with significant dominance of pyrogenic source. The first PAHs biota-sediment accumulation factors and relative biota-sediment accumulation factors data for short-neck clam were obtained in this study, indicating a preferential accumulation of lower molecular weight PAHs. Evaluation of PAH levels in sediments and short-neck clams indicates that short-neck clam could be introduced as a good biomonitor in mudflats. The results also demonstrated that under environmental conditions, the sedimentary load of hydrocarbons appears to be one of the factors controlling their bioavailability to biota.     

苯并[a]芘和1-羟基芘诱导人胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞ROS、CYP基因表达和DNA损伤

多环芳烃(PAHs)化合物中的苯并[a]芘和PAHs暴露检测标志物1-羟基芘与心脏功能障碍有关,但其生物学机制尚不清楚。为研究苯并[a]芘和1-羟基芘对心脏的毒性作用,基于人胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞(hESC-CM)研究了苯并[a]芘和1-羟基芘对心肌细胞活性氧(ROS)生成、CYP基因表达和DNA损伤等的影响。结果表明,苯并[a]芘和1-羟基芘对h ESC-CM活性无影响,但能显著增强细胞ROS水平,诱导DNA损伤。此外,苯并[a]芘还能诱导细胞线粒体促凋亡基因的表达。研究表明,苯并[a]芘和1-羟基芘能通过诱导氧化应激和DNA损伤事件导致h ESC-CM损伤,在一定程度上解释了多环芳烃暴露导致心脏疾病的分子机制。     

PAHs in organic film on glass window surfaces from central Shanghai,China: distribution,sources and risk assessment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations were analysed in the organic film on the glass surfaces of different functional areas in central Shanghai. Concentration levels of total PAHs in the organic film ranged from 1,348.5 to 4,007.9 ng m^?2. The concentration of PAHs was lowest in parks and green spaces (1,348.5 ng m^?2) and highest in traffic zones (4,007.9 ng m^?2). A concentration gradient of total PAHs was observed as follows: traffic zones > commercial areas > cultural and educational areas > parks and green spaces. The distribution of PAHs was characterised by 3–4 ring PAHs in the study areas. The most abundant PAHs were phenanthrene (20.5 %), fluorene (16.7 %), pyrene (12.4 %) and chrysene (Chry) (11.2 %). The mass of the bulk film was composed of organic and inorganic compounds and ranged from 246 to 1,288 mg m^?2. The bulk film thickness varied from 144 to 757 nm in the different functional areas. The ratios of An/178 and Fl/202 and principal component analysis suggested that PAHs came mainly from the mixed sources of fossil fuel, coal and incomplete combustion of biomass. Benzo[a]anthracene (BaA)/Chry is not suitable for use as a tracer for the transmission process of PAHs because of the rapid depletion of BaA in the organic film by photooxidation during daylight hours. The concentration of benzo[a]pyrene equivalent (BaPeq) varied from 21 to 701 ng g^?1, and the major carcinogenic contributors of the 16 PAHs were BaP, DahA, B[b/k]F and InP, accounting for 83 % of BaPeq.     

Monitoring of environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of organic compounds with two or more fused aromatic rings. They have a relatively low solubility in water, but are highly lipophilic. Most of the PAHs with low vapour pressure in the air are adsorbed on particles. When dissolved in water or adsorbed on particulate matter, PAHs can undergo photodecomposition when exposed to ultraviolet light from solar radiation. In the atmosphere, PAHs can react with pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, yielding diones, nitro- and dinitro-PAHs, and sulfonic acids, respectively. PAHs may also be degraded by some microorganisms in the soil. PAHs are widespread environmental contaminants resulting from incomplete combustion of organic materials. The occurrence is largely a result of anthropogenic emissions such as fossil fuel-burning, motor vehicle, waste incinerator, oil refining, coke and asphalt production, and aluminum production, etc. PAHs have received increased attention in recent years in air pollution studies because some of these compounds are highly carcinogenic or mutagenic. Eight PAHs (Car-PAHs) typically considered as possible carcinogens are: benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and benzo(g,h,i)perylene. In particular, benzo(a)pyrene has been identified as being highly carcinogenic. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promulgated 16 unsubstituted PAHs (EPA-PAH) as priority pollutants. Thus, exposure assessments of PAHs in the developing world are important. The scope of this review will be to give an overview of PAH concentrations in various environmental samples and to discuss the advantages and limitations of applying these parameters in the assessment of environmental risks in ecosystems and human health. As it well known, there is an increasing trend to use the behavior of pollutants (i.e. bioaccumulation) as well as pollution-induced biological and biochemical effects on human organisms to evaluate or predict the impact of chemicals on ecosystems. Emphasis in this review will, therefore, be placed on the use of bioaccumulation and biomarker responses in air, soil, water and food, as monitoring tools for the assessment of the risks and hazards of PAH concentrations for the ecosystem, as well as on its limitations.     

应用物种敏感性分布法对太湖沉积物中多环芳烃的生态风险分析

多环芳烃(PAHs)具有高的疏水性,在水体中优先分布于沉积物.采用物种敏感性分布法(SSDs法),依据水生生物慢性毒性数据计算5%物种危害浓度(HC5);并结合欧盟委员会风险评价技术导则(TGD)进而得到沉积物预测无效应浓度(PNEC-sed),以报道的太湖的沉积物中浓度数据作为预测环境浓度(PECsed);用商值法P...     

渤海北部典型芳香烃类化合物污染状况及生态风险评价

为探究渤海北部海上油气区及周边近岸海域典型芳香烃类化合物污染状况,2015年5月现场采集了32个站位的海水样品,针对7种苯系物(BTEX)和17种多环芳烃(PAHs)进行测定,并采用商值法和毒性当量法对污染物开展单一和联合生态风险评估。结果显示,研究海域海水中7种苯系物总含量范围为65.1～222.6 ng·L~(-1),以甲苯含量最高,表层含量略低于底层,油气区平均含量低于周边近岸,受到陆源污染输入的影响特征明显。表层海水中ΣPAHs含量范围为98.9～356.0 ng·L~(-1),平均值为184.5 ng·L~(-1),以低环芳烃占优势,总体处于中等水平,比值法判定该海域PAHs可能主要来源于石油及其加工产品。该海域海水中苯并(a)芘的风险商RQ值大于0.1,表现出低度风险,其余3种处于可接受水平。4种芳香烃类化合物联合生态风险等级为低度风险,对生态系统具有潜在的不利影响,但不同区域仍存在一定差异性,海上石油开采与陆源输入是影响该海域个别区域生态风险较高的重要因素。     

太湖胥口湾表层水和沉积物中多环芳烃的浓度水平及生态风险

多环芳烃(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)是环境中普遍存在的稠环类化合物,由于其对人体健康和生态环境产生较大危害,美国环保局将16种PAHs列为优先控制的污染物。PAHs也是太湖流域的主要污染物之一。作为华东地区的重要水系和水源地,研究太湖环境质量的变化对改善太湖流域水生生态系统和提高沿岸居民身体健康具有重要意义。论文研究了太湖胥口湾水域表层水和沉积物的PAHs。结果显示,表层水和沉积物的PAHs总浓度分别为7.2~83 ng·L~(-1)和66~620ng·g~(-1)干重;年均值为29 ng·L~(-1)和218 ng·g~(-1)干重;年均毒性当量浓度为2.4 ng·L~(-1)和28 ng·g~(-1)干重。沉积物中的主要污染物为荧蒽、芘和,影响毒性当量浓度的主要是苯并(a)芘和二苯并(a,h)蒽。4环PAHs在沉积物中占主要,其浓度百分比为44%~48%,而5环PAHs则占毒性当量总浓度的90%以上,说明其危害主要来自5环PAHs。PAHs特征化合物比值分析表明,胥口湾沉积物中PAHs主要来源于煤和木材燃烧,表层水大部分为燃烧和石油的混合来源。污染水平的时空变化特点为丰水期(8月)表层水PAHs浓度偏高,沉积物偏低。湖区和湖岸的PAHs浓度只在丰水期有显著差异,表层水PAHs浓度湖区高于湖岸,沉积物相反;其他时期湖区和湖岸PAHs浓度无显著差异。根据加拿大沉积物环境质量标准,胥口湾整体生态风险水平较低。从时空分布特征来看,个别生态风险较高的点主要分布在湖岸,5月平水期可能是沉积物中PAHs生态风险较高的频发期。     

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of a mangrove forest affected by forest fire

Surface soils affected by forest fires from Igbanko mangrove forest in Nigeria were analyzed for 16 EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The total PAHs concentrations in the soils ranged from 63 to 188?µg?kg^?1 dry weight (average: 108?µg?kg^?1). The three predominant PAHs in the soils were naphthalene (Na), fluoranthene (Flu), and benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF). Compared to the control sample (19?µg?kg^?1), elevated PAHs concentrations were observed in the soils, an indication of some level of PAHs contamination. PAHs source diagnostic ratios of Flu/(Flu?+?Pyr) and Ant/(Ant?+?Phe) indicated that the PAHs have a pyrogenic origin which may have resulted from combustion of grass, wood, or coal. An assessment based on Canadian soil quality guidelines indicated that the studied locations do not pose any serious adverse risk on human health.     

Spatial distributions,source apportionment and ecological risk of SVOCs in water and sediment from Xijiang River,Pearl River Delta

Xijiang River is an important drinking water source in Guangxi Province, China. Along the Xijiang River and surrounding tributary, the pollution profile of three important groups of semi-volatile organic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and phthalate esters (PAEs), was analyzed. Relatively low levels of PAHs (64–3.7 × 10² ng L^?1) and OCPs (16–70 ng L^?1), but high levels of PAEs (7.9 × 10²–6.8 × 10³ ng L^?1) occurred in the water. Comparatively, low levels of OCPs (39–1.8 × 10² ng g^?1) and PAEs (21–81 ng g^?1), but high levels of PAHs (41–1.1 × 10³ ng g^?1) were found in sediment. Principal component analyses for source identification indicated petroleum-derived residues or coal and biomass combustion, and vehicular emission was the main sources for PAHs. The OCPs sources of each category were almost independent, whereas the new input of HCHs and p,p′-DDTs probably existed in some areas. PAEs were mainly originated from personal care products of urban sewage, plastic and other industrial sources. Ecological risk through the risk quotient analysis indicated a small or significant potential adverse effect on fish, daphnia and green algae. Nevertheless, the integrated risk of all pollutants should be taken into account in future study.     

Mikrobieller PAK-Abbau

The biodegradation of the five ring PAH benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is assumed to be limited by the low water solubility of this compound. A mixed culture of microorganisms — isolated from a PAH-contaminated soil — was able to degrade¹⁴C labelled BaP in mineral medium by cometabolism with phenanthrene, fluoranthene, anthracene and pyrene as sources of carbon and energy. The mineralisation of these compounds to low levels resulted in an inhibition of the degradation of BaP. After the new addition of the four PAH compounds to the culture medium the mineralisation of BaP started again. A non-ionic surfactant of the alkylpolyglycoside type (Plantacare 2000 UP) increased the concentration of BaP in the culture medium because of solubilization. At high Plantacare concentrations, the degradation of BaP was completely inhibited above the critical micelle concentration (cmc). The degradation of the three and four ring PAHs was also inhibited. If the surfactant was metabolised to concentrations below the cmc, an increase of mineralisation of BaP could occur up to 24% in 384 days.