Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Bohai Sea: A review of their distribution, sources, and risks
WU Guang-hong, Renjie Qin, Wei Luo
Abstract
Abstract The distribution, risks, and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) observed in seawater and sediments in the Bohai Sea were reviewed. The ecological risk of total PAHs in seawater was low, but the ecological risks of several individual PAHs (Pyr, BbF, and IcdP) were high. Detected PAHs in sediments rarely had adverse biological effects. High PAH concentrations were identified in Bohai Bay, in the sea area near Qinhuangdao, in Jinzhou Bay, and in Bohai Strait. Low PAH concentrations were found in the central Bohai, in Laizhou Bay, and in the sea area with more intensive ocean currents near Caofeidian. PAH concentrations in the Bohai Sea present a seaward-decreasing trend. Their spatial distribution could be attributed to the influence of human activities (population, industrial activities, and shipping activities), which determined PAH emissions. The PAHs were characterized by local sources, indicating that coal consumption and vehicle emissions were important sources of PAHs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1705–1721. © 2022 SETAC KEY POINTS Spatial distribution of PAH concentrations in the surface sediments of the Bohai Sea was determined. PAH pollution hot spots in the entire Bohai Sea were identified. Divergence of economic development and energy consumption during urbanization and industrialization was the main reason for the PAH distribution in the Bohai Sea sediments. PAH concentrations descended in the order of river > estuary > offshore.