Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and sediment from Shanghai port, China: spatial distribution, source apportionment, and potential risk assessment

The spatial distribution, sources, and potential risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were systematically investigated in Shanghai port, one of the most important hubs in international trade. The 16 priority PAHs in surface water and sediment were determined. Total concentrations of 16 PAHs (sigma(16)PAHs) ranged from 140.6 to 647.4 ng/L in surface water and from 12.7 to 573.2 ng/g (dry weight, dw) in sediment, respectively. The 2-ring and 3-ring PAHs with low molecular weight were main components in water, while the 3-ring and 4-ring PAHs were abundant in sediment. Flu was the main component of the sigma(16)PAHs in water and sediment. According to the source apportionment, the PAHs in water mostly originated from combustion of fossil fuels and petroleum and petroleum combustion were the main contributors to the PAHs in sediment. The results obtained from potential risk assessment indicate that the PAHs in surface water present a moderate ecological risk, whereas the PAHs in sediment show low ecological risk indicating a less possibility of toxic pollution.