Distribution and partition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in surface water of the Pearl River Estuary, South China

Water samples were collected in the Pearl River Estuary in July 2002 and April 2003. The particulate and dissolved phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined. Total PAH concentrations in water samples were higher in April of 2003 (C (p): 4.0-39.1 ng/L or 445.1-1,089.9 ng/g; C (w): 15.9-184.2 ng/L) than in July of 2002 (C (p): 2.6-26.6 ng/L or 297.7-1,336.6 ng/g; C (w): 12.9-28.3 ng/L). It was found that 5, 6-ring PAHs enrich in the inner estuary samples and so did 3-ring PAHs in the July samples. Compositional differences in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) might be responsible for this observation. The partition coefficient (K (p)) increased with the increasing of the particular organic carbon content of suspended particles as well as the salinity of water, decreased with the increase of the total suspended particles content of samples. A linear correlation between logK (OC) and logK (OW) was found in two sampling periods. The observed values of logK (OC) exceed their predicted values derived form linear free energy relationship between logK (oc) and logK (ow), which could be attributed to the nonlinear sorption of soot-like carbons in suspended particles.     

Assessment on the distribution and partitioning characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Lake Baiyangdian, a shallow freshwater lake in China

The characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments, and hydrophytes from Lake Baiyangdian, a shallow freshwater lake in China were studied. The low-molecular-weight PAHs (2-3 ring PAHs) predominated (61.2 to 84.5%) in all samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) of individual PAHs and the ratios of selected PAHs showed that the PAHs in the lake were mainly petrogenic inputs. The solid-liquid distribution coefficient (K(d)) in the water phase was much higher than the bioconcentration factor (BCF), and the leaf concentration factor (LCF) was higher than the root concentration factor (RCF) and stem concentration factor (SCF) in plant-sediment phase. Good linear log/log relationships were observed between the equilibrium partitioning coefficient (K(oc)) and the octanol-water partitioning coefficient (K(ow)), between RCF and K(ow), and between LCF and the octanol-air partitioning coefficient (K(oa)). These results indicated that PAHs accumulated more easily in SPM than in submerged aquatic plants, and some low-molecular-weight PAHs could accumulate and be translocated in the lake's media. Media characteristics, contamination sources, and physicochemical properties all affect the partitioning of PAHs among water, SPM, sediments, and hydrophytes.     

利用Triolein半渗透膜采样技术测定洋河水中的优先污染物

应用Ｔｒｉｏｌｅｉｎ半渗透膜采样器采集了河北洋河宣化至官厅水库河段水样,根据测定采样器中多氯联苯污染物（ＰＣＢｓ）及其它优先污染物浓度,可以估算这些污染物在河段水体中的平均浓度。将结果与同时同地采集的水样,经萃取浓缩后分析得到的结果比较,发现对于不同类型污染物,二者符合程度不同。本研究证明半渗透膜被动采样技术可用于水中多氯联苯等难降解污染物的定量监测,有可能在我国的优先污染物监测工作中发挥作用     

Measurement of organic contaminants and biological effects in Scottish waters between 1999 and 2005

Concentrations of organic contaminants were determined in sediment and fish collected annually at six sites around Scotland between 1999 and 2005, as part of the UK National Marine Monitoring Programme. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorobiphenyls (CBs) were measured in sediment, while CBs and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities were measured in the fish. Highest PAH concentrations in sediment were found at sites where higher coastal influences would be expected (e.g., Clyde and Solway) and four of the six sites gave PAH concentrations above OSPAR background assessment concentrations (BACs). A significant downward trend in the median total PAH concentrations, normalised to total organic carbon (TOC), was found at one of the six sites (Minches). The PAH profiles at all sites were consistent over the 6 year period, indicating that the sites are relatively stable and PAH sources are not changing. There was an indication of a greater petrogenic input on the west coast, with sediment from the Clyde, Solway and Minches having a greater proportion of 2- and 3-ring PAHs and a lower proportion of 5-ring PAHs. CB concentrations at all sites were low compared with UK estuarine sites and similar to sediment from more remote areas: however, BACs were exceeded. No significant trends were detected in either the sediment CB concentrations or patterns at any of the six sites. CB concentrations were significantly higher in fish liver collected from the Clyde. Concentrations at the other five sites were low, with the majority of samples having concentrations for the ICES7 CBs of <500 microg kg(-1) lipid weight. However, individual CB concentrations were still above the BACs. Hepatic EROD activities were measured in male plaice from 2002-2005 and were generally low (<10 pmol min(-1) mg protein(-1)). No temporal trends were detected in either CB concentrations or the EROD activity.     

Fugacity approach to evaluate the sediment-water diffusion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Diffusion is an important process for sediment-water exchange and plays a vital role in controlling water quality. Fugacity fraction (ff) was used to estimate the sediment-water diffusion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between seawater and surficial sediment. A total of 33 surface sediment and sea water samples were collected concurrently from the northeast coastal area in China and 25 PAHs were analyzed including the alkylated and chlorated PAHs. Fugacity fraction was calculated based on the PAH concentrations in water and sediment, octanol-water partition coefficient of PAHs, organic matter content in sediment, and density of sediment. The calculated results showed that ff increased with decreasing molecular weight of PAHs. The low molecular weight PAHs (2-3 rings) transferred from sediment to water and the sediment acted as a secondary source to the water. The medium molecular weight PAHs (4-5 rings) were close to the sediment-water equilibrium and the transfer tendency shifted between sediment and water. The high molecular weight PAHs (5-6 rings) transferred from water into sediment and the sediment acted as a sink. Soot carbon and the difference of PAH concentrations between sediment and water were found to be important factors affecting the sediment-water diffusion. This study provided new insight into the process of sediment-water diffusion, which has a great influence on the quality of water, especially in severely-polluted sediment areas.     

Organic contaminants in the Firth of Clyde following the cessation of sewage sludge dumping

To assess contaminant concentrations in the Firth of Clyde in relation to the former sewage sludge dump site at Garroch Head, and investigate any temporal changes, fish have been sampled annually since 1992 and sediment since 1999. In addition, a further four locations in the Clyde (Holy Loch, Hunterston, Skelmorlie and Irvine Bay) have been sampled for fish and sediment since 1999. Chlorobiphenyls (CBs) were measured in fish samples and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and CBs in sediment. Since sampling was initiated the concentration for the summation operatorICES7 CBs in fish liver has been consistently >500 microg kg(-1) lipid weight at Garroch Head and the other Clyde sites and lower at the reference sites (Pladda, Colonsay, Broad Bay). Although the lowest CB concentrations of the eleven year period in plaice liver from Garroch Head were found in 2002, CB concentrations were found not to have decreased significantly since sewage sludge dumping ceased in 1998. However, a change in CB profile was observed with fish liver collected between 1992 and 1998 from Garroch Head showing a lower proportion of the less chlorinated CBs compared to the 1999-2002 liver samples. Highest CB and PAH concentrations in sediment were found at Garroch Head and Holy Loch with concentrations at these sites being significantly higher than at all other sites.     

Partitioning and sources of PAHs in wastewater receiving streams of Tianjin,China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) partitioning among dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter, pore water, and sediment was studied in one moderately contaminated river (Yongding New River) and two highly contaminated drainage canals (South Drainage Canal and North Drainage Canal) of Tianjin, China. PAHs concentrations in sediment (ranged from 0.2 to 195 μg/g) showed positive relations with both total organic carbon contents (ranged from 0.7% to 31.1%, dw) and black carbon contents (ranged from 0.1% to 2.1%, dw) in the sediments. Moreover, most of the measured organic carbon normalized partition coefficients of PAHs in the three streams were 0.76 to 1.54 log units higher than the predicted values. These indicated that strong and nonlinear sorption of PAHs by carbonaceous geosorbents such as black carbon (BC) existed in the streams, and BC was an important part of the carbonaceous particles controlling the partitioning of PAHs in the sediments of this study. PAH component ratio analyses suggested that PAHs in the three streams, effluent samples from wastewater treatment plants, and soil samples by the riverbank had similar main sources, which is coal/petroleum combustion. We suggested the transportation and transformation of both carbonaceous particles and PAHs during wastewater treatment process, surface runoff, etc, should be studied further in order to make decisions on PAHs controlling measures.     

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an industrialized city, Kocaeli, Turkey: study of seasonal variations, influence of meteorological parameters and health risk estimation

Ambient gas and particle phase samples were collected during two sampling periods from a residential area of an industrialized city, Kocaeli, Turkey. The sampling occurred during winter months when structures were being heated, and summer months when structures were not being heated. Σ(13)PAH (gas + particle) concentrations ranged between 6.2 ng m(-3) (DahA) and 98.6 ng m(-3) (Phe) in the heating (winter) period and 3.0 ng m(-3) (BaA) and 35.1 ng m(-3) (Phe) in the non-heating (summer) period. Phe, Flt and Pyr were found to be at high concentrations in both sampling periods. Winter time to summer time concentration ratios for individual ambient PAH concentration ratios ranged between 1.2 (DahA) and 17.5 (Flu), indicating the effect of the emissions from residential heating on measured concentrations of PAHs, but great industrial plants and the only incinerator facility of Turkey are other important pollution sources around the city. Temperature dependence of gas phase PAHs was investigated using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. A high slope obtained (5069.7) indicated the effect of the local sources on measured gas phase PAHs. Correlation of the supercooled vapor pressure (P) with the gas particle partitioning coefficient (K(p)) and particle phase fraction was also evaluated. The relationship between the meteorological parameters and individual PAH (gas + particle) concentrations was investigated further by multiple linear regression analysis. It was found that the temperature had a significant effect on all of the measured PAH concentrations, while the effects of the wind speed and direction were not significant on the individual PAHs. On the other hand, PAH concentrations showed a strong linear relationship with the ventilation coefficient (VC) which showed the influence of local sources on measured PAHs. Benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalent (BaP(eq.)) concentrations were used for health risk assessment purposes. The winter period risk level (2.92 × 10(-3)) due to the respiratory exposure to PAHs was found to be almost 3 times higher than in the summer period (1.15 × 10(-3)).     

Trends in background levels of persistent organic pollutants at Kosetice observatory, Czech Republic.2) Part II. Aquatic and terrestrial environments 1996-2005

A multimedia sampling of ambient air, wet deposition, surface water, sediment, soil and biota has been performed at Kosetice background observatory in the southern Czech Republic since 1988. An integrated monitoring approach was applied to assess the current state, anthropogenic impacts, and possible future changes of terrestrial and freshwater environments. Average PCB concentrations in the individual matrices calculated from ten years of sampling on multiple sites varied between 2 ng g(-1) in sediment and 7 ng g(-1) in soil or moss. DDT concentrations were lower in moss and needles (2 ng g(-1) and 4 ng g(-1), respectively) than in sediment (11 ng g(-1)) and soil (20 ng g(-1)), while the HCH level was higher in moss and needles (5 ng g(-1) and 6 ng g(-1), respectively) than in soil or sediment (1 ng g(-1) and 2 ng g(-1), respectively). The highest average level of PAHs was found in soil (600 ng g(-1)), while it was lower in needles (230 ng g(-1)), moss (210 ng g(-1)) or sediment (210 ng g(-1)). Time related trends of concentration levels of persistent organic pollutants in all matrices were investigated. Moss and needle trend patterns resembled those of the ambient air, showing a slight concentration decrease of all compounds, except for hexachlorobenzene. The soil, water and sediment concentrations showed a similar decrease of PAHs, PCBs, and HCHs, but there was no clear trend for DDTs and HCB.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Dalian soils: distribution and toxicity assessment

Concentrations of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in surface soils collected from Dalian, China, for examination of distributions and composition profiles and their potential toxicity. The sum of 15 PAHs (SigmaPAHs) ranged from 190 to 8595 ng g(-1) dry weight, and showed an apparent urban-suburban-rural gradient in both SigmaPAHs and composition profiles. Using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), the sampling sites were grouped into four clusters corresponding to traffic area, park/residential area, suburban and rural areas. The ratios of naphthalene (Nap) and fluorene (Fl) versus fluoranthene (Flu), pyrene (Pyr) and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (InP) in the four clusters provided evidence of local distillation. The diagnostic ratios indicated the prevalent PAH sources were petroleum combustion and coal combustion in Dalian, and a cross plot of diagnostic ratios distinguished the urban samples from suburban and rural ones. Toxic potency assessment of soil PAHs presented a good relationship with benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) levels, toxic equivalent concentrations based on BaP (TEQ(BaP)) and dioxin-like toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ(TCDD)). The study highlights that BaP is a good indicator for assessing the potential toxicity of PAHs, and presents a promising toxicity assessment method for soil PAHs.     

An examination of the toxic properties of water extracts in the vicinity of an oil sand extraction site

The industrial extraction of oil sands (OS) in northern Alberta, Canada, has raised concerns about the quality of the Athabasca River. The purpose of this study was to examine the toxic properties of various water extracts on Oncorhynchus mykiss trout hepatocytes. The water samples were fractionated on a reverse-phase C(18) cartridge and the levels of light-, medium- and heavy-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. Primary cultures of trout hepatocytes were exposed for 48 h at 15 °C to increasing concentrations of the C(18) extract corresponding to 0.02, 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5X concentrations from upstream/downstream sites in the Athabasca River, lake and groundwater samples, OS tailings and interceptor well-water samples. Changes in cell viability, phase I and phase II biotransformation enzymes (cytochrome P4501A and glutathione S-transferase activities), oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation LPO) and genotoxicity (single and double DNA strand breaks) were monitored in post-exposure cells. The water samples decreased cell viability and increased all the above endpoints at thresholds of between 0.02 and 0.1X the water concentration. The most responsive biomarker was DNA damage but it also offered the least discrimination among sites. LPO was higher at sites downstream of the industrial operations compared to upstream sites. A decision tree analysis was performed to formulate a set of rules by which to identify the distinctive properties of each type of water samples. The analysis revealed that OS tailings and interceptor waters were characterized by an increased concentration in light PAHs (>42 μg L(-1)) and this fraction represented more than 85% of the total PAHs. These samples also inhibited GST activity, which could compromise the elimination of genotoxic PAHs present in the system. An analysis of groundwater samples revealed a contamination pattern similar to that for OS tailings. There is a need for more research into specific biomarkers of toxicity from OS tailings compounds such as naphthenic acids, light PAHs among others, which are a characteristic fingerprint of OS extraction activities.     

Assessment of bioavailable fraction of POPS in surface water bodies in Johannesburg City,South Africa,using passive samplers: an initial assessment

In this study, the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) passive samplers were used to determine freely dissolved concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in selected water bodies situated in and around Johannesburg City, South Africa. The devices were deployed for 14 days at each sampling site in spring and summer of 2011. Time weighted average (TWA) concentrations of the water-borne contaminants were calculated from the amounts of analytes accumulated in the passive samplers. In the area of interest, concentrations of analytes in water ranged from 33.5 to 126.8 ng l^?1 for PAHs, from 20.9 to 120.9 pg l^?1 for PCBs and from 0.2 to 36.9 ng l^?1 for OCPs. Chlorinated pesticides were mainly composed of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) (0.15–36.9 ng l^?1) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloromethane (DDT) with its metabolites (0.03–0.55 ng l^?1). By applying diagnostic ratios of certain PAHs, identification of possible sources of the contaminants in the various sampling sites was performed. These ratios were generally inclined towards pyrogenic sources of pollution by PAHs in all study sites except in the Centurion River (CR), Centurion Lake (CL) and Airport River (AUP) that indicated petrogenic origins. This study highlights further need to map up the temporal and spatial variations of these POPs using passive samplers.     

Spatial distribution and temporal trends of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Iberian Mediterranean coast

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been determined in blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from several Iberian Mediterranean coastal areas through the implementation of a monitoring programme from Spain in the framework of the Mediterranean Pollution Programme (MED POL). The selected areas correspond to sites with differing degrees of exposure to the main pollution sources (hot spots, coastal and reference areas). The sampling campaigns were performed from 2004 to 2009, with samples being taken from May to June, the non-spawning period for mussels in this area. Thirteen PAHs were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with specific fluorescence detection. In general, total PAHs concentration was lower than 50 μg kg^?1 d.w., except in areas close to the principal ports and cities (Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Algeciras) where it varies from 75 to 390 μg kg^?1 d.w. Background concentrations have been proposed for PAHs in mussels (23.8 μg kg^?1 d.w.) from Western Mediterranean area. Temporal trends were not statistically significant for PAHs concentrations from 2004 to 2009. Longer monitoring periods would be required to detect a continuous tendency, especially for PAHs because although the efficiency of combustion engines has reduced PAHs emissions, their increasing use could alter this potential reduction. The predominant PAHs were three and four ring congeners in all cases, with the predominance of phenanthrene in mussels sited far from the main PAHs sources. The phenanthrene/anthracene (lower than 10) and fluoranthene/pyrene (higher than 1) ratios indicate that PAHs detected in Spanish Mediterranean coastal mussels are mainly of pyrolytic origin.     

Field uptake rates of hydrophobic organic contaminants by semipermeable membrane devices: environmental monitoring considerations

The uptake rates of selected hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) by semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs)--a polyethylene layflat containing the lipid triolein--were investigated under natural conditions. SPMDs were exposed in three sampling sites (industrial, urban, and agricultural areas) in the Tajo River (Toledo, Spain) for 5, 11 and 20 d. The organochlorine compounds 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDE, alpha-HCH, gamma-HCH, pentachlorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and the 16 priority pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in the SPMDs deployed in the three sampling sites. A linear uptake rate was found for DDTs and for 4-Cl- and 5-Cl-substituted PCB congeners in all sampling sites. Concentrations of HCHs (80.3 ng g(-1) SPMD for alpha-HCH and 109 ng g(-1) SPMD for gamma-HCH after 20 d of exposure) increased according to a linear uptake rate in the SPMDs deployed in the sampling site located in the agricultural area. Likewise, a marked increase of total PAH concentration (up to 300 ng g(-1) SPMD after 20 d of exposure) was solely found in the sampling site situated near a thermoelectric power station. Examination of individual PAHs revealed that PAHs with log K(OW) between 4.2 and 5.7 displayed a linear uptake rate over the 20 d of exposure. Water concentrations (ng L(-1)) of HCB (0.80-2.48), lindane (1.30-11.5), 4,4'-DDT (0.61-2.02), 4,4'-DDE (6.89-11.6) and total PAHs (12.0-26.7) estimated by a linear uptake kinetic model were found to be high in comparison with other polluted aquatic systems, and similar to concentrations in other Spanish rivers. Our results suggest that SPMD kinetic uptake studies in the natural environment are recommended for identifying point-pollution sources, and that shorter times of SPMD exposure (approximately 1 week) are desirable to minimize one of the main problems of field SPMD deployment, i.e., the biofouling, which negatively affects the estimation of the dissolved HOC concentrations.     

Assessment of cyclodextrin-enhanced extraction of crude oil from contaminated porous media

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cyclodextrin (CD) on the extraction of Macondo well oil from contaminated porous media over a range of hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HPβCD) concentrations. To our knowledge, this is the first dataset on this type of CD yet assembled for an actual crude oil. The results showed that HPβCD can significantly increase oil extraction efficiency, demonstrated by increasing concentrations of all tested normal alkanes (nC(15)-nC(35)) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the aqueous phase with increasing CD concentration. A linear relationship between the extraction enhancement effect and CD concentration were verified experimentally and high correlation coefficients for total PAHs (R(2) = 0.82) and alkanes (R(2) = 0.99) were determined. For a 20% CD solution, 3.13 wt% of alkanes and 32.12 wt% of total PAHs were extracted to the aqueous phase, which was significantly more than what was extracted with water only (0.04% and 0.21% for alkanes and PAHs, respectively). This result shows that the remediation of oil contaminated media can be significantly enhanced through the use of HPβCD solutions in flushing or pump and treat operations to remove sorbed oil. The CD extraction enhancement effect decreases with increasing n-alkane chain length for the carbon number range tested. CD significantly enhanced PAH extraction from sand and the enhancement effect increased in the order of parent compounds < C-1 substituted < C-2 substituted < C-3 substituted for most PAHs tested. This study provides important information to assess the feasibility of using CD as a near-shore agent to enhance the cleanup of oil contaminated porous media.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and bed sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River

This study was performed to elucidate the distribution, concentration trend and possible source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water and bed sediments of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River and the Moson Danube branch. A total of 217 samples (water and sediments) were collected from four different sampling sites in the period of 2001–2010 and analysed for the 16 priority US Environmental Protection Agency PAHs. Concentrations of total 16 PAHs (∑PAHs) in water samples ranged from 25 to 1,208 ng/L, which were predominated by two- and three-ring PAHs. The ∑PAH concentrations in sediments ranged from 8.3 to 1,202.5 ng/g dry weight. Four-ring PAHs including fluoranthene and pyrene were the dominant species in sediment samples. A selected number of concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contamination. The ratios reflected a pattern of pyrogenic input as a major source of PAHs. The levels of PAHs determined were compared with other sections of the Danube and other regions of the world.     

Distributions, sources and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in topsoil at Ji’nan city, China

Surface soil (0-5 cm) samples from 17 sampling sites including different functional areas at Ji'nan city in Shandong Province of China were collected and analyzed for 16 EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total PAH concentrations were in the range from 1.31 mg kg(-1) to 254.08 mg kg(-1) (dry weight), and the average level of total PAHs was 23.25 mg kg(-1). The highest total PAHs concentrations were found in steel and iron plant at industrial areas. The total PAHs concentrations in industrial areas were markedly higher than those in other different functional areas. According to comparing total PAHs concentration in Ji'nan city to that of other urban areas, it was found that total PAHs concentrations were 6 to 137 times higher than other areas because of some specific sampling sites such as steel and iron plant and one main roadside. The results showed that PAHs in topsoil of Ji'nan city were suffered from strong pyrogenic influence, especially in industrial areas. However about 52.9% soil samples were mainly originated from both pyrogenic and petrogenic mixed sources based on Flu/Pyr ratios and Phe/Ant ratios. Furthermore, It was found that all individual PAHs except Fle were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with LMW, HMW, total PAHs and SOM, and individual PAHs except Fle in soils were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with each other. The nemerow composite index to assess the environmental quality showed that the soil sample of steel and iron plant in industrial areas and one main roadside were heavy pollution of PAHs, and about 47% soil sampling sites were safety, about 53% soil sampling sites were got different grades of PAHs pollution.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ecotoxicological characterization of sediments from the Huaihe River, China

The distribution, source, ecological risk and ecotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of sediments from 7 sampling sites, named as Xinyang (XY), Huainan (HN), Bengbu (BB), Xuyi (XuY), Fuyang (FY), Mengcheng (MC) and Zhengzhou (ZZ), in the Huaihe River basin, China, have been investigated. The total concentrations of 16 USEPA priority PAHs ranged from 62.9 to 2232.4 ng g?1 dry weight (d.w.) with a mean concentration of 1056.8 ng g?1 d.w. Through the assessment of ecological risk, we found that the levels of PAHs in the Huaihe River should not exert adverse biological effects. The total benzo[a]pyrene toxicity equivalent (TEQ) values calculated for samples varied from 0.01 to 194.1 ng g?1 d.w., with an average of 65.9 ng g?1. The toxicity data were accordant with the chemical analysis results in this study. HN, BB and ZZ showed the greatest pollution extent both in the chemical analysis and the study of ecotoxicological effects.