The temporal distribution, source and potential toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a sediment core from an urban lake in Wuhan, China

The sediments’ samples were collected from Changdang Lake for the concentration of fourteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in March (dry season), June (wet season), and September (temperate season) 2013. The highest average value of∑PAHswas detected as 295.28 ng/g dw in March, followed by 240.91 ng/g dw in June and 165.81 ng/g dw in September. Source characterization studies based on the analysis of diagnostic ratio (triangular plot method) suggested that the PAHs in sediments from Changdang Lake were mainly from the mixed combustion source of biomass and petroleum, and the origins of PAHs in different sampling sites have a great deal of temporal and spatial variability during different water seasons. Redundancy analysis was applied to identify the impact factors and the possible relationship between PAHs and environmental parameters. The predicted results showed that the main factors impacting PAHs temporal distribution were temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential, while conductivity showed secondary impacts on the PAHs distribution. Risk assessment of PAHs in sediments was carried out based on the US Sediments Quality Guidelines (SQGs). By comparing the present study results with SQGs standard values results showed that the adverse effects are not expected at the present levels of PAHs contamination observed in the sediments from Changdang Lake.

Download Full-text

Contribution of commonly analyzed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to potential toxicity in early life stages of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f06-034 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 63 (6) ◽

pp. 1320-1333 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Henrik Sundberg ◽

Rasha Ishaq ◽

Ulla Tjärnlund ◽

Gun Åkerman ◽

Kerstin Grunder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Rainbow Trout ◽

Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽

Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Potential Toxicity ◽

Total Extract ◽

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽

Erod Induction ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic

In a series of bio-effect-directed fractionation experiments, we investigated the potential toxicity of sediment extracts from a contaminated bay. A previous study investigated abnormalities and hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) larvae by exposing newly fertilized eggs to the total extract and to fractions separated by degree of aromaticity. A major part of the potential toxicity was isolated in a fraction containing polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). In this study, we prepared a synthetic PAC mixture with 17 commonly analyzed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in amounts equimolar to those found in the sediment PAC fraction. The 17 PAHs, which included 11 of the 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) priority PAHs, were unable to account for the toxicopathic effects observed and could explain less than 4% of the total EROD induction. The lack of a clear relationship between toxicopathic effects and EROD induction underlines the need for a battery of biomarkers for estimating environmental risk. These results reveal the limits of our knowledge regarding compounds responsible for potential toxicity in field situations.

Download Full-text