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Distribution, Composition, Sources, and Potential Ecological Risks of PAHs in the Sediments of the Lanzhou Reach of the Yellow River, China

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Abstract

The distribution, composition, sources, and potential ecological risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Lanzhou Reach of the Yellow River, China were investigated. The total concentration of the 18 individual PAHs (∑18PAHs) in the sediments ranged from 638 to 1620 ng/g, with a mean value of 901 ng/g. The pollution level of PAHs in the sediments was low to moderate. Spatially, the distribution of PAHs in the sediments showed an increasing trend along the direction of water flow. ∑18PAHs predominantly consisted of low molecular weight PAHs. The principal component analysis and isomer ratios of PAHs suggested the mixed sources of petroleum and those from the combustion of petroleum, coal, and biomass. The results showed that the PAHs in the sediments of the Lanzhou Reach of the Yellow River have a low ecological risk. However, the BaP equivalent exposure values suggested a potential cancer risk.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21966020 and 41772147).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China

    Yufeng Jiang, Longmiao Yuan, Hong Wen, Qian Zhang & Lanlan Liu

  2. Key Laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China

    Yufeng Jiang, Longmiao Yuan, Hong Wen, Qian Zhang & Lanlan Liu

  3. Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Yingqin Wu

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  1. Yufeng Jiang
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  2. Longmiao Yuan
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  3. Hong Wen
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  4. Qian Zhang
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  5. Lanlan Liu
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Correspondence to Yufeng Jiang.

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Jiang, Y., Yuan, L., Wen, H. et al. Distribution, Composition, Sources, and Potential Ecological Risks of PAHs in the Sediments of the Lanzhou Reach of the Yellow River, China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 105, 613–619 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02998-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02998-4

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