Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Samples Research Articles

Managing Public Health Risks Using Air Monitoring at a Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site

Monitoring emissions from a former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) site during remediation was used to manage risks associated with inhalation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and contaminated particulates acting as an exposure conduit for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. This risk management case study presents a USEPA-approved air monitoring program implemented to manage public health risks during remediation at a former MGP site located in the southeast United States. Risk-based Acceptable Air Concentrations (AACs) were developed and a sampling regimen established to monitor potential emissions to maintain contaminant concentrations below the AACs. The exposure duration used was based on a twelve-month project duration and an exposure time of 24 hours per day; equations, toxicity values and sources were based on USEPA’s Regional Screening Levels. A total 535 twenty-four hour time weighted samples (269 VOC samples and 266 PAH samples) were collected over the project duration. Only minor levels of VOCs and PAHs were detected and no results were above the AACs. These timeweighted averages demonstrate that the real-time air monitoring and control measures implemented at the site effectively maintained concentrations below the AACs and were protective of public health.

Differences in spatiotemporal variations of atmospheric PAH levels between North America and Europe: Data from two air monitoring projects

Atmospheric concentrations of high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured at five sites for almost two decades near the North American Great Lakes, as part of the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN), and at three remote sites around Europe, as part of the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP). The primary objectives were to reveal the spatial distributions, long-term temporal trends, and seasonal variations of atmospheric PAH concentrations and to investigate potential differences between these two regions. Atmospheric PAH concentrations at the urban sites in Chicago and Cleveland near Great Lakes were about 20 times (depending on PAH congener and sampling site) greater than those at the rural sites except for Košetice in the Czech Republic. Atmospheric PAH concentrations at Košetice, also a rural site, were about one-third of those at Chicago and Cleveland, but 10 times higher than those at other rural sites (Sturgeon Point, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Eagle Harbor, Aspvreten, and Spitsbergen). Significant long-term decreasing trends of all these PAH atmospheric concentrations were observed at Chicago and Cleveland. For the other sites, either less significant or no long-term decreasing trends were observed. Clear seasonality was observed at Sturgeon Point, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Košetice, and Spitsbergen, with the highest PAH concentrations observed in mid-January.

Linking ramped pyrolysis isotope data to oil content through PAH analysis

Ramped pyrolysis isotope (13C and 14C) analysis coupled with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analysis demonstrates the utility of ramped pyrolysis in screening for oil content in sediments. Here, sediments from Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA that were contaminated by oil from the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill display relationships between oil contamination, pyrolysis profiles, and isotopic composition. Sediment samples with low PAH concentrations are thermochemically stable until higher temperatures, while samples containing high concentrations of PAHs pyrolyze at low temperatures. High PAH samples are also depleted in radiocarbon (14C), especially in the fractions that pyrolyze at low temperatures. This lack of radiocarbon in low temperature pyrolyzates is indicative of thermochemically unstable, 14C-free oil content. This study presents a proof of concept that oil contamination can be identified by changes in thermochemical stability in organic material and corroborated by isotope analysis of individual pyrolyzates, thereby providing a basis for application of ramped pyrolysis isotope analysis to samples deposited in different environments for different lengths of time.

Sources of polycyclic hydrocarbons and pesticides in soluble fraction of deposition samples in Kocaeli, Turkey

A wet-dry deposition sampler was located at The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey-National Metrology Institute (TUBITAK-UME) station, and a bulk deposition sampler was placed at the Kadıllı village to determine the atmospheric deposition flux of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides (organochlorine and organophosphorus) in soluble fraction of samples in Kocaeli, Turkey. The 28 samples for each wet, dry, and total deposition were collected weekly from March 2006 to March 2007. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the samples which were prepared by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) method. The sum of volume weighted mean of deposition fluxes was obtained as 7.43 μg m(-2) day(-1) for wet deposition, 0.28 μg m(-2) day(-1) for dry deposition and 0.54 μg m(-2) day(-1) for bulk deposition samples for PAHs and 9.88 μg m(-2) day(-1) for wet deposition, 4.49 μg m(-2) day(-1) for dry deposition, and 3.29 μg m(-2) day(-1) for bulk deposition samples for pesticides. While benzo(a)anthracene had the highest fluxes among PAH compounds for all types of depositions, guthion and phosphamidon had the highest deposition flux compared with the other pesticides. Benzo(ghi)perylene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, and acenaphthene were not detected in any of the samples. Beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, and endrin aldehyde were the only compounds among 18 organochlorine pesticides to be detected in all deposition samples. The main sources of pesticides were the high number of greenhouses around the sampling stations. However, all of the organophosphorus pesticides were detected in all deposition samples. The pollution sources were identified as coal and natural gas combustion, petrogenic sources, and traffic for TUBITAK-UME station whereas coal and natural gas combustion and traffic were the main sources for Kadıllı station by considering the results of factor analysis, ratios, and wind sector analysis.

Health risk assessment for inhalation exposure to particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from household cooking in northern Taiwan

Background: Food cooking generates lots of harmful fine and ultrafine particles.Many occupational studies have shown that the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) caused by exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cooking fume was much higher than the suggested acceptable limit of 10-6. However, the higher exposure level of occupational studies cannot represent the exposure of the general population. Aim: To assess the health risk for the exposure to cooking fume of daily household cooking, since these data may be more representative and is currently limited in Taiwan Method: We took particle and gaseous PAHs samples using a Micro-Orifice Uniform-Deposit Impactors and glass cartridge packed with Amberlite XAD-16 polymeric adsorbent, respectively, during cooking periods from five families without smoker in northern Taiwan. These samples were extracted and then analyzed by theGC/MS. The ILCR caused by exposure tocooking fumewas evaluated based on PAHs analysis result.We also monitored the 24-hour particle concentrations profile by using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer and a 6-channel optical particle counter. Result: Although gaseous PAHs contributed more than 85% of the total PAHs, particulate PAHs percentage increased with ring number of PAHs and contributed the most of banzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (B[a]Peq). The B[a]Peq is significantly positive correlated with the mass of larger particles (>3.2 ?m) but negative correlated with that of particles smaller than 0.056?m, indicating that most toxic PAHs deposited on larger particles. The ILCR caused by household cooking fume is lower than those reported in occupational studies. However, the ILCR is higher than10-5, implying that even the exposure to PAHs from daily household cooking could result in a significant cancer risk. Conclusion: Most toxic PAHs of household cooking fume deposited on large particles and caused a considerable cancer risk in northern Taiwan.

Investigation on sampling artifacts of particle associated PAHs using ozone denuder systems

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are complex organic compounds which are identified as significant carcinogenic to human health. PAHs (mainly in particle phase) are susceptible to atmospheric oxidant gases, especially ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydroxyl radical (OH), and could be degraded on filters during sampling process, leading to an underestimation of ambient PAH concentrations. The goal of this work was to investigate particle associated PAHs sampling artifacts caused by ozone in summer of Beijing. Comparative sampling systems were operated simultaneously during the whole campaign, one with activated carbon ozone denuder, the other being set as conventional sampling system. Activated carbon denuder was testified to be highly efficient to eliminate ozone from air stream. In general, nine particle-bound PAHs observed from conventional sampler were all lower than those from ozone denuder system. The total PAHs (particle phase) concentration was averagely underestimated by 35.9% in conventional sampling procedure. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) had the highest percentage of mass loss. Ambient temperature was founded to have influences on PAHs sampling artifacts. High temperature can increase loss of particle associated PAHs during sampling.

Automated clean-up, separation and detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter extracts from urban dust and diesel standard reference materials using a 2D-LC/2D-GC system

A multidimensional, on-line coupled liquid chromatographic/gas chromatographic system was developed for the quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A two-dimensional liquid chromatographic system (2D-liquid chromatography (LC)), with three columns having different selectivities, was connected on-line to a two-dimensional gas chromatographic system (2D-gas chromatography (GC)). Samples were cleaned up by combining normal elution and column back-flush of the LC columns to selectively remove matrix constituents and isolate well-defined, PAH enriched fractions. Using this system, the sequential removal of polar, mono/diaromatic, olefinic and alkane compounds from crude extracts was achieved. The LC/GC coupling was performed using a fused silica transfer line into a programmable temperature vaporizer (PTV) GC injector. Using the PTV in the solvent vent mode, excess solvent was removed and the enriched PAH sample extract was injected into the GC. The 2D-GC setup consisted of two capillary columns with different stationary phase selectivities. Heart-cutting of selected PAH compounds in the first GC column (first dimension) and transfer of these to the second GC column (second dimension) increased the baseline resolutions of closely eluting PAHs. The on-line system was validated using the standard reference materials SRM 1649a (urban dust) and SRM 1975 (diesel particulate extract). The PAH concentrations measured were comparable to the certified values and the fully automated LC/GC system performed the clean-up, separation and detection of PAHs in 16 extracts in less than 24 h. The multidimensional, on-line 2D-LC/2D-GC system eliminated manual handling of the sample extracts and minimised the risk of sample loss and contamination, while increasing accuracy and precision.

Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Underground Water around the Viccinity of Balogun-Biiro Dump Site, Oke Bale, Osogbo, Nigeria

Well-water samples were collected from the vicinity of Balogun–biiro dump site located in Okebaale Osogbo, Osun state, Nigeria. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined qualitatively and quantitatively using GC-FID. The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water samples ranged from 0.01235 µg/kg to 0.05365 µg/kg with mean concentration ranging from 0.00094 µg/kg to 0.00335 µg/kg respectively. The highest concentration of ∑16 𝑃𝐴𝐻𝑠was recorded in S6 and it was observed that there is decline in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations from point of water pollution. There was a significant concentration of both the lower and higher rings polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the samples. These distributions as well as various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons diagnostic indices calculated showed that the sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the samples were both petrogenic and pyrogenic. The mean concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons recorded in the water samples showed a little bit enhanced values than the recommended tolerable limits, which indicated some level of pollution in the water samples

Study of passive sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in gas phase using Amberlite XAD resins as filling materials of semipermeable membranes

Abstract In this work, a study was performed to evaluate the use of Amberlite XAD resins (XAD-2, XAD-4 and XAD-16), for the first time, as filling materials for low-density polyethylene membranes, which will be inserted as passive samplers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in gas phase. The use of samplers deployed for 48 h evidenced a relative capability to retain the compounds under study. A detailed study was performed to evaluate the recovery of analytes from the sampler through microwave-assisted extraction by using acetonitrile. A clean-up step using alumina-C18 cartridges was necessary before determination of the PAHs by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The limits of detection were of the order of μg L− 1 with relative standard deviation values that varied from 1 to 16% as a function of the compound and the XAD resin employed. Amberlite XAD resins can be considered an excellent alternative as filling material of semipermeable membrane devices for passive sampling of PAHs in air due to their low cost, ease of manipulation and suitable chemical and mechanical characteristics.

Passive Sampling of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Johor Strait by Sol–gel Polydimethylsiloxane

Passive sampling technique is an alternative technique in the monitoring of organic pollutants in aqueous environment. This technique is able to overcome several drawbacks of the conventional grab sampling technique. In this study, passive sampler consists of glass tubes coated with sol–gel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were fabricated in the laboratory. The passive samplers were used to study the level and distribution of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Johor Strait. Performance of the passive sampler was tested in the laboratory with an exposure system that has similar flow rate, temperature and water salinity with Johor Strait. Then, the passive sampler was deployed to five sampling stations located in Johor Strait for 7 and 30 days to accumulate PAHs in seawater. High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector was used to analyze PAHs in the samples. All PAHs spiked in the exposure system were found to accumulate in the PDMS coating. Mass of 15 PAHs extracted from the passive sampler after deployment to Johor Strait was in the range of 0.372–1.131 ng/PDMS glass tube. Findings obtained from passive sampling method and seawater analysis were comparable. Passive sampling technique is low cost, simple and less solvent consumption.

Health implications of PAH release from coated cast iron drinking water distribution systems in The Netherlands.

Background: Coal tar and bitumen have been historically used to coat the insides of cast iron drinking water mains. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may leach from these coatings into the drinking water and form a potential health risk for humans.Objective: We estimated the potential human cancer risk from PAHs in coated cast iron water mains.Method: In a Dutch nationwide study, we collected drinking water samples at 120 locations over a period of 17 days under various operational conditions, such as undisturbed operation, during flushing of pipes, and after a mains repair, and analyzed these samples for PAHs. We then estimated the health risk associated with an exposure scenario over a lifetime.Results: During flushing, PAH levels frequently exceeded drinking water quality standards; after flushing, these levels dropped rapidly. After the repair of cast iron water mains, PAH levels exceeded the drinking water standards for up to 40 days in some locations.Conclusions: The estimated margin of exposure for PAH exposure through drinking water was > 10,000 for all 120 measurement locations, which suggests that PAH exposure through drinking water is of low concern for consumer health. However, factors that differ among water systems, such as the use of chlorination for disinfection, may influence PAH levels in other locations.

Determination of gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by a simple direct method using thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

In the last decade, the development of novel analytical methodologies enabled the identification of several environmental pollutants responsible for health problems associated with indoor exposure. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the potential hazardous chemicals present in ambient air. Due to their bioaccumulation potential and carcinogenic/mutagenic effects, 16 PAHs are currently listed as priority air pollutants. The main goal of this work was to implement a new and simple method for sampling and determination of PAHs in air by using a thermal desorption (TD) technique followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. A detailed study was carried out to optimise the experimental method in each of its phases, including (active) sampling, TD and chromatographic analysis. The results demonstrate that this approach allowed the detection and quantification of the six more volatile PAHs, namely, naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and anthracene. Acceptable precision and good linearity over the explored range were obtained. No carry-over was observed during experimental tests and the method provided a reproducible answer. The applicability of the novel methodology was tested in real environment, namely, on the roof of a building in an urban area, in a domestic kitchen and in a collective car garage. The method enabled the identification of two PAHs in the field samples, specifically, naphthalene (two rings) and phenanthrene (three rings). With regard to PAHs sample composition, the most abundant PAH found, in the three different locations, was naphthalene, accounting for about 84-100% of the total PAH mass detected.

Elimination of interferences caused by simultaneous use of deuterated and carbon-13 standards in GC-MS analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in extracts from passive sampling devices

Two types of isotope-labelled reference compounds are typically used for the passive sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. One type is added before the exposure of the sampler and is called ...

An approach to uncertainty estimation in determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fuel-contaminated soils

An estimation of uncertainty contribution in the entire set of the analytical data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil during a full year is presented. The analyses were performed as part of a project devoted to the assessment of the natural attenuation of selected PAHs in agricultural soil contaminated by a fuel spill. In particular, we investigated the effect of natural attenuation on the PAH dissipation rate in plots of two types of scenarios in agricultural soils. One of them was previously affected by an accidental fuel spill 10 years ago, and the other one was non-affected. The major components for estimating uncertainty contributions have been evaluated based on intermediate precision from different levels of PAH mass fraction, sample locations, and long term data set. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was applied to the mass fractions of clean or blank soil sub-samples versus contaminated soil sub-samples for grouping comparable data. Variables of influence in this study were site, month, and lysimeter of sampling (referring to a stainless steel box, with side lengths of 50 cm). Study sites or the spatial arrangement of lysimeter showed a clear effect in sub-sample results with the lowest mass fraction levels for heavier PAH, while monthly sampling was the variable of most significant influence for the more strongly contaminated sub-sample results. Finally, the results of the PAH mass fractions in contaminated soil sub-samples indicated a monthly variation for which lighter, volatile PAHs rapidly decreased while the less volatile did not change.

Source identification and characterization of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons along the southwestern coastal area of Taiwan – with a GMDH approach

Air samples of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were collected from May 2008 to April 2009 in the Kaohsiung coastal area of Taiwan to establish a dataset. Sample analysis suggested that PAH composition (dominated by 3-ring PAHs) and seasonal patterns (high concentration in winter and low concentration in summer) are nearly identical to those previously reported (Lai et al., 2011), except for a case of road construction during the sample period. The predominant sources of PAHs were identified by isomer ratio, HCA and PCA analyses as vehicle emissions and coal/wood combustion. According to the results of parameters selection via the Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH), the variations in gaseous PAHs and particulate PAHs were related mainly to meteorological conditions and to routine monitoring of air pollutant concentrations, respectively. A comparison of model prediction accuracy between particulate and gaseous PAHs suggests better prediction for particulate PAHs than gaseous PAHs, due to dramatic variation in meteorological conditions which results in higher prediction uncertainty for gaseous PAHs. Model predictions of PAH concentrations showed satisfactory agreement with measured data, except for specific incidents, such as joss paper burning events. The results of this study suggest that the GMDH model may be applied to PAH concentration prediction for the study area and may be applicable for other countries based on routine monitoring of air pollutant concentrations and meteorological conditions.

Detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different types of processed foods

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCAHs), particularly those with a high molecular weight, have been classified as probable carcinogens to humans. The aim of the present study is to determine the levels of PCAHs in samples of meat, fish, chicken, fried potato, and toasted bread, which will be thermally processed using conventional and microwave ovens. Different samples will be collected and analyzed for five PCAHs including pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzoflouroanthene, and benzo(a)pyrene. The analytical method involves saponification with methanolic potassium hydroxide, extraction with cyclohexane, and determination by high-performance liquid chromatography. The obtained results showed that there is a variation in the detected PCAHs in different foodstuffs. Fried potato processed by conventional oven or microwave oven showed none of the selected studied PCAHs. It was found that, chicken showed higher content levels of total PCAHs than the meat and fish. Data are the highest mean concentrations of fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene but within low limit. The obtained results were compared with international permissible levels to avoid pollution, which may cause hazardous effects on individual and society.

Accumulation of PAHs and synthetic musk compound in minke whales (Balanoptera acutorostrata) and long‐beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) from Korean coastal waters

Information on the occurrence and accumulation profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) in marine mammals is scarce. In the present study, we recorded the concentrations and profiles of PAHs and SMCs in liver tissue and blubber from minke whales and common dolphins from Korean coastal waters. The overall concentrations of PAHs and SMCs in blubber from both cetacean species were approximately three to five times higher than those in liver tissues. Residue levels of PAHs were lower, whereas levels of SMCs were relatively higher than those reported in other studies. Lack of species- and sex-dependent differences in the concentrations of PAHs and SMCs were found. Naphthalene and 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-r-2-benzopyran (HHCB) were predominant compounds in all the samples for PAHs and SMCs, respectively. The concentrations of PAHs and SMCs were significantly correlated with each other, but were not correlated with body size of cetaceans. The present data provide valuable information on the exposure of Korean cetaceans to PAHs and SMCs.

Influence of urban activities on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in precipitation: Distribution, sources and depositional flux in a developing metropolis, Fortaleza, Brazil

We measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bulk precipitation in the Fortaleza metropolitan area, Ceará, Brazil, for the first time. Because little information is available concerning PAHs in tropical climatic regions, we assessed their spatial distribution and possible sources and the influence of urban activities on the depositional fluxes of PAHs in bulk precipitation. The concentrations of individual and total PAHs (ΣPAHs) in bulk precipitation ranged from undetectable to 133.9ng.L−1 and from 202.6 to 674.8ng.L−1, respectively. The plume of highest concentrations was most intense in a zone with heavy automobile traffic and favorable topography for the concentration of emitted pollutants. The depositional fluxes of PAHs in bulk precipitation calculated in this study (undetectable to 0.87μg.m−2.month−1) are 4 to 27 times smaller than those reported from tourist sites and industrial and urban areas in the Northern Hemisphere. Diagnostic ratio analyses of PAH samples showed that the major source of emissions is gasoline exhaust, with a small percentage originating from diesel fuel. Contributions from coal and wood combustion were also found. Major economic activities appear to contribute to pollutant emissions.

Resolution and Quantification of Complex Mixtures of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Heavy Fuel Oil Sample by Means of GC × GC-TOFMS Combined to Multivariate Curve Resolution

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) combined to multivariate curve resolution-alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS) is proposed for the resolution and quantification of very complex mixtures of compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in heavy fuel oil (HFO). Different GC × GC-TOFMS data slices acquired during the analysis of HFO samples and PAH standards were simultaneously analyzed using the MCR-ALS method to resolve the pure component elution profiles in the two chromatographic dimensions as well as their pure mass spectra. Outstandingly, retention time shifts within and between GC × GC runs were not affecting the results obtained using the proposed strategy and proper resolution of strongly coeluted compounds, baseline and background contributions was achieved. Calibration curves built up with standard samples of PAHs allowed the quantification of ten of them in HFO aromatic fractions. Relative errors in their estimated concentrations were in all cases below 6%. The obtained results were compared to those obtained by commercial software provided with GC × GC-TOFMS instruments and to Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC). Inspection of these results showed improvement in terms of data fitting, elution process description, concentration relative errors and relative standard deviations.

Characteristics and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Donggang river and its tributaries, Taiwan

Analyses of environmental xenobiotic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were an important worldwide issue because of their detrimental effects on aquatic biota. In this study, we had investigated the distribution, origin and toxicity of PAHs in the Donggang watershed sediments in southwestern Taiwan. The study results showed that the sixteen representative PAHs were detected in all collected samples with concentrations ranging from 23 to 2534 ngg−1dw. The highest concentration was detected in the downstream end at near the estuarine portion of the river. The mean ±standard deviation and median of ΣPAH concentrations were 528.5 ± 72.3 and 156 ngg−1 of dry matrix in collected samples. The highest and lowest concentrations of Σ16 PAHs samples differed significantly (p < 0.05) and naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene were detected in all sediment samples. The random variations between sampling sites were consistent with watershed land use. The present study showed that the ratios of phenanthrene/anthracene (Phe/Ant) and fluoranthane/pyrene (FLu/Pyr) in samples suggested that PAHs sources exhibited mixed pattern of petrogenic and pyrolytic inputs. The PAHs with high molecular weight (5–6 ring) accounted for 95.5% of total-BaPeq while the low molecular weight PAHs (2–3 ring) only appeared 0.20%. There was a high correlation (R2= 0.967) between mean concentrations and the BaPeq of the PAHs within the sediments. In summary, the adverse biological effect was low according to the effects-range-low (ERL) values of the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) in sediments from Donggang river and its tributaries in Taiwan.