Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in the dissolved, particulate, and sediment phases in the Luan River watershed, China

Abstract

Water and sediment samples were collected from the Luan River and its 5 tributaries to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in dissolved, particulate, and sediment phases. The Luan River watershed, located in northeastern Hebei province, provides water to population centers such as Tianjian and Tangshan. Sampling locations were chosen at areas not under direct influence of industrial activities to examine the “background” PAH contamination across the watershed. PAH concentrations in the dissolved, particulate, and sediment phases ranged from 11.5 ng/L to 171.5 ng/L, 152.8 ng/g. d.w. to 1372.3 ng/g d.w., and 6.7 to 1585.7 ng/g d.w., respectively. Low molecular weight PAHs (with 2 to 3 rings) dominated the dissolved and particulate phases, whereas medium and high molecular weight PAHs (with 4 to 6 rings) dominated the sediment phase. The isomer ratios of PAHs in sediments indicated that PAHs in Luan River originated from combustion processes and those PAHs underwent long-distance transport.