Biological risk and pollution history of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Nansha mangrove, South China
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 92-98 |
Journal / Publication | Marine Pollution Bulletin |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 1 |
Online published | 27 Jun 2014 |
Publication status | Published - 15 Aug 2014 |
Link(s)
Abstract
Chinese government has taken various measures to alleviate pollution caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the region of Pearl River Delta since the economic reform in 1978, but the effectiveness of these measures remains largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the biological risk and pollution history of PAHs by measuring the concentrations of 28 PAHs in the surface and core sediments, respectively, in Nansha mangrove. Results found that the biological risk of PAHs was low without obvious spatial variation. The PAH concentration along the depth gradient indicated that PAH pollution was stabilized since the early 1990s while the source of PAHs has gradually changed from combustion of coal to petroleum products. This implied that the mitigation measures taken by the Chinese government were effective. Compared to marine bottom sediment, we propose that using mangrove sediment can provide a more accurate and precise estimate of pollution history of PAHs. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
Research Area(s)
- Biological risk, Economic development, Mangrove, Pollution history, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Sediment
Citation Format(s)
Biological risk and pollution history of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Nansha mangrove, South China. / Wu, Qihang; Leung, Jonathan Y.S.; Tam, Nora F.Y. et al.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 85, No. 1, 15.08.2014, p. 92-98.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 85, No. 1, 15.08.2014, p. 92-98.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review