Levels, sources, and potential ecological risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a typical effluent-receiving river (Wangyang River), North China

In this study, the occurrence and sources of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water, surface sediment, and adjacent agricultural soil samples from the Wangyang River (WYR, a typical effluent-receiving river) were determined, and their ecological risks on the organisms were assessed using sediment quality guidelines. Results showed that the levels of 16 PAHs in the water, surface sediments, and soils ranged from 416.7-4907 ng/L, 545.1-134054.7 ng/g (dry weight, dw), and 297.4-10,849 ng/g dw, respectively. The molecular ratios, principal components analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were employed to differentiate PAHs sources, and results indicated that PAHs in WYR were mainly from pyrogenic sources which were attributed to the burning of corn straws as well as petroleum/coal combustion in the local industries in the region. The heavy PAH contamination in the sediments and soils might pose serious adverse ecological effects on the organisms.