Occurrence, composition profiles and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in municipal sewage sludge in China. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Shao-Jing; Zhao, Ze-Bin; Li, Bo; Ma, Li-Xin; Fu, Dong-Lei; Sun, Xia-Zhong; Thapa, Samit; Shen, Ji-Min; Qi, Hong; Wu, Yi-Ning
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 245(2019)
• Page Start: 764
• Page End: 770
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: PAHs -- Sewage sludge -- Geographical distribution -- Source appointment -- Risk assessment; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: A nationwide survey, including 75 sludge samples and 18 wastewater samples taken from different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from 23 cities, was carried out to investigate the occurrence and composition profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in China. In total, the concentrations of ∑16 PAHs in sludge ranged from 565 to 280, 000 ng/g (mean: 9340 ng/g) which was at a moderate level in the world. The composition profiles of PAHs were characterized by 3- and 4-ring PAHs in textile dyeing sludge and 4- and 5-ring PAHs in domestic sludge. Significant variations in regional distribution of PAHs were observed. Both the principal components analysis and diagnostic ratios revealed that vehicle exhaust, coal and natural gas combustion were the main sources of PAHs in China. The estimated concentrations of PAHs were 3820 ng/L and 1120 ng/L in influents and effluents of the WWTPs, respectively. The high toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) values of PAHs are ascribed to the high PAH levels. Risk quotient values (RQs) in sludge indicated that there was low potential risk to soil ecosystem after sludge had been applied one year except for indeno [1, 2, 3-cd]pyrene (IcdP) detected in Huaibei, Anhui province. Graphical abstract: Highlights: 75 sludge samples and 18 wastewater samples from WWTPs were collected in China. A distinct geographical distribution of PAHs was observed. The concentrations of PAHs in influents and effluents of China were estimated. There were low risks to soils when sludge had been applied after one year. Abstract : This is the most comprehensive study to investigate the occurrence and composition profiles of PAHs in sewage sludge and wastewater in China.