Levels, spatial variations, and possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediment from Songhua River, China

The source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment from the Songhua River, which is located in a cold region, is not fully understood and has not been sufficiently assessed under bad conditions. The 16 priority PAHs in sediment from the Songhua River were analyzed and their potential source was diagnosed in the present study. The total concentrations of the PAHs ranged from 34 to 4456 ng/g dw, and fluoranthene (FlA), pyrene (Pyr), phenanthrene (Phe), and chrysene (Chr) were the dominant PAHs. The coefficient of divergence (CD) was used to compare the similarities of these PAHs in sediments from different sampling sites, and the results showed that their compositions were quite different. Importantly, a positive correlation was found between coal consumption and the total concentrations of PAHs in sediment (R = 0.999, p < 0.001), but no significant correlation was found between the amounts of crude oil/natural gas consumption and the total concentrations of PAHs. Emissions from coal consumption might be the main source of PAHs in sediment from the Songhua River because coal is the main fuel used for heat in this northern, cold region in China.