Contamination of rivers in Tianjin, China by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 134; no. 1; pp. 97 - 111
• Main Authors: Shi, Z., Tao, S., Pan, B., Fan, W., He, X.C., Zuo, Q., Wu, S.P., Li, B.G., Cao, J., Liu, W.X., Xu, F.L., Wang, X.J., Shen, W.R., Wong, P.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; China; Continental surface waters; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Freshwater; Industrial Waste; Natural water pollution; PAHs; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Rivers - chemistry; Sediment; SPM; Tianjin; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Asia; China; China, People's Rep; China, People's Rep., Tianjin; Water; SPM; PAHs; Sediment; Tianjin; Chemical analysis; Urban area; Persistent organic pollutant; Transport process; Depth profile; Qualitative analysis; Stream; Organic compounds; Quantitative analysis; Anthropogenic factor; Hydrocarbon; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Sediments; Suspended particle; Spatial distribution; Surface water; Pollution source; Water pollution; Industrial area; Concentration distribution
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.07.014

Tianjin urban/industrial complex is highly polluted by some persistent organic pollutants. In this study, the levels of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were tested in sediment, water, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples in 10 rivers in Tianjin. The total concentration of 16 PAHs varied from 0.787 to 1943
μg/g dry weight in sediment, from 45.81 to 1272
ng/L in water, and from 0.938 to 64.2
μg/g dry weight in SPM. The levels of PAHs in these media are high in comparison with values reported from other river and marine systems. Variability of total concentrations of PAHs in sediment, water, and SPM from nine different rivers is consistent with each other. No obvious trends of total PAHs concentration variations were found between upstream and downstream sediment, water, and SPM samples for most rivers, which indicate local inputs and disturbances along these rivers. The spatial distributions of three-phase PAHs are very similar to each other, and they are also similar to those found in topsoil. However, their chemical profiles are significantly different from that of topsoil. The change of profiles is consistent with the different aqueous transport capability of 16 PAHs. Low molecular weight PAHs predomination suggests a relatively recent local source and coal combustion source of PAHs in the study area.
Coal combustion is suggested as a recent local source of PAHs in this area.