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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Pollution Characteristics in Agricultural Soils of the Pearl River Delta Region, China

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  • Haolong Cai

    (Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
    College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China)

  • Siyu Yao

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Earth and Environment Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Jiahui Huang

    (Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China)

  • Xiongkai Zheng

    (Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Environmental Risk Prevention and Emergency Disposal, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Jianteng Sun

    (Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China)

  • Xueqin Tao

    (College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China)

  • Guining Lu

    (Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education on Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Environmental Risk Prevention and Emergency Disposal, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China)

Abstract

In order to investigate the pollution status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the agricultural soil, 240 agricultural soil topsoil samples were collected from nine Pearl River Delta cities from June to September 2019. In addition, 72 samples were collected for vertical soil profiles, which soil profiles were excavated to a depth of 80 cm. After sample preparation, GC-MS was used for the separation of compounds on a HP-5MS quartz capillary column. ArcGIS software was used to map the spatial distribution. Health risk assessment was conducted using USEPA standard. The results showed that the total concentration of 16 PAHs ranged from 43.4 to 5630 ng/g, with an average of 219 ng/g. The spatial distribution showed that most of the seriously polluted areas were in the coastal area, near the port, and there was point source pollution in the Gaoming of Foshan. Vertically distributed display Zhuhai, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen and Dongguan increased and then decreased from bottom to bottom, showing a low-high-low pattern, the concentration of PAHs in Zhongshan and Foshan decreased with the soil depth, while the concentration of PAHs in Guangzhou and Huizhou was enriched with human activities. The PAHs components in soil samples were mainly medium and high rings (4–6 rings). The analysis of the origin of PAH in soil samples showed that the mixture of incomplete combustion sources of fossil fuels such as coal and biomass and traffic emission sources were the main sources of soil PAHs. A small amount can be attributed to oil sources such as oil spills. The human health risk assessment showed no cancer risk for children, while for adults, may cause a potential risk of cancer, which needs to be noticed. Spearman correlation analysis showed that PAH content was significantly correlated with SOC ( p < 0.01) and pH ( p < 0.05). Port transport, road emissions and industrial production make the area a pollution hot topic, and supervision should be strengthened to protect the environment and food safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Haolong Cai & Siyu Yao & Jiahui Huang & Xiongkai Zheng & Jianteng Sun & Xueqin Tao & Guining Lu, 2022. "Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Pollution Characteristics in Agricultural Soils of the Pearl River Delta Region, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:16233-:d:993210
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Siyu Yao & Jiahui Huang & Haijun Zhou & Cuiting Cao & Tao Ai & Huanhuan Xing & Jianteng Sun, 2022. "Levels, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticides in Agricultural Soils from the Pearl River Delta of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Li Ji & Wenwen Li & Yuan Li & Qiusheng He & Yonghong Bi & Minghua Zhang & Guixiang Zhang & Xinming Wang, 2022. "Spatial Distribution, Potential Sources, and Health Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Surface Soils under Different Land-Use Covers of Shanxi Province, North China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    3. Chunli Chen & Huiqing Zeng & Xiaofeng Gong & Jing Li & Lingqing Wang, 2022. "PAHs Source Identification in Sediments and Surrounding Soils of Poyang Lake in China Using Non-Negative Matrix Factorization Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-14, June.
    4. Yihua Xiao & Fuchun Tong & Yuanwen Kuang & Bufeng Chen, 2014. "Distribution and Source Apportionment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Forest Soils from Urban to Rural Areas in the Pearl River Delta of Southern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Sławomir Józef Krzebietke & Ewa Mackiewicz-Walec & Stanisław Sienkiewicz & Jadwiga Wierzbowska & Dariusz Załuski & Agata Borowik, 2022. "Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil at Different Depths under a Long-Term Experiment Depending on Fertilization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-13, August.
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