School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Yan Ta Road. No.13, Xi'an, 710055, China.
Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China.
Environ Geochem Health. 2023 Sep;45(9):6853-6867. doi: 10.1007/s10653-022-01454-y. Epub 2022 Dec 25.
This study systematically analyzed the contents, compositions, and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in river sediments near an important energy and chemical base in northwest China. In addition, their possible adverse effects on the ecology and human health were assessed. The PAH concentrations in this study area ranged from 2641.28 to 16783.72 (ng/g dw). PAHs of medium molecular weight (3-ring and 4-ring) showed the largest proportion, followed by PAHs of higher molecular weight (5-ring and 6-ring). The results of molecular diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis revealed that PAHs in the region have complex sources, with incomplete combustion of local fossil fuels and traffic exhaust factors being the main sources. The total toxic equivalent concentration of PAHs varied from 10.05 to 760.26 ng/g, and according to the sediment quality guidelines, PAHs have high potential ecological risk in the lower reaches of the river. The mean effect range-median quotient for the region was 0.46, and the combined ecological risk was at moderate to high levels (21% probability of toxicity). The lifetime carcinogenic risks for adults and children exposed to PAHs were 2.95 × 10 and 1.87 × 10, respectively, which are much higher than the limit of 10, indicating moderate to high potential cancer risks. Therefore, the local government should consider taking some environmental remediation measures. This study can provide theoretical support for pollution prevention measures and ecological restoration strategies for rivers in resource-rich areas.
本研究系统分析了中国西北重要能源和化工基地附近河流沉积物中多环芳烃（PAHs）的含量、组成和来源，并评估了其对生态和人体健康的可能不利影响。本研究区的 PAH 浓度范围为 2641.28-16783.72（ng/g dw）。中分子量（三环和四环）PAHs 所占比例最大，其次是高分子量（五环和六环）PAHs。分子诊断比和主成分分析的结果表明，该地区的 PAHs 具有复杂的来源，当地化石燃料不完全燃烧和交通尾气因素是主要来源。PAHs 的总毒性当量浓度在 10.05-760.26 ng/g 之间，根据沉积物质量标准，该河流下游的 PAHs 具有高的潜在生态风险。该地区的中值效应范围-中位数商为 0.46，综合生态风险处于中等至高水平（毒性的 21%概率）。接触 PAHs 的成年人和儿童的终生致癌风险分别为 2.95×10和 1.87×10，远高于 10 的限值，表明存在中等到高的潜在致癌风险。因此，当地政府应考虑采取一些环境修复措施。本研究可为资源丰富地区河流的污染防治措施和生态恢复策略提供理论支持。
