Biological risk and pollution history of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Nansha mangrove, South China

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

38 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Qihang Wu
  • Jonathan Y.S. Leung
  • Nora F.Y. Tam
  • Shejun Chen
  • Bixian Mai
  • And 3 others
  • Xizhen Zhou
  • Lihua Xia
  • Xinhua Geng

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)92-98
Journal / PublicationMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume85
Issue number1
Online published27 Jun 2014
Publication statusPublished - 15 Aug 2014

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.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review