Tracking emission sources of PAHs in a region with pollution-intensive industries, Taihu Basin: From potential pollution sources to surface water

Abstract

The strict environmental management has been implemented in Taihu Basin to reduce the surface water contamination; however, the effectiveness of the management actions has not been comprehensively evaluated. In the present study, 364 samples were collected during four campaigns over a span of one year from surface water, municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs), industrial wastewater treatment plants (IWWTPs), industrial enterprises, and aquaculture in a typical region in the Upper Taihu Basin. Overall concentration, temporal variation and spatial distribution of 16 PAHs in surface water and various pollution sources were evaluated and the potential pollution sources were identified. Results showed that concentrations of individual PAHs in the surface water ranged from less than the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 949 ng L−1, indicating a reduction of PAH contamination level after the implementation of environmental management actions. Influent of MWWTPs and wastewater from industrial enterprises exhibited relatively high ∑PAHs concentrations (mean: 880 ng L−1 and 642 ng L−1, respectively); these samples also exhibited a similar seasonal variation as well as composition of PAH congeners to those found in surface water, and therefore were designated as the main emission sources of PAHs in the studied region. Additional source apportionment using principal component analysis was also conducted to verify the proposed sources and diagnose other pollution sources. The findings provided a thorough understanding of PAH pollution, especially its major emission sources, in a typical region with pollution-intensive industries after the implementation of strict environmental management.