Assessing potential risks of aquatic polycyclic aromatic compounds via multiple approaches: A case study in Jialing and Yangtze Rivers in downtown Chongqing, China. (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Yunxi; Liang, Bo; Xia, Weiwei; Gao, Min; Zheng, Haojun; Chen, Jing; Chen, Yang; Tian, Mi
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 294(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- Surface water -- Phase distribution -- Ecological risk -- Human health risk; 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.2021.118620
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: To better evaluate the potential risks of aquatic polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), multiple approaches have been implemented in this study to assess the human health and ecological risks of parent, nitrated and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, NPAHs and OPAHs) in the surface water of Jialing and Yangtze Rivers in downtown Chongqing in southwestern China. The concentrations of ∑PAHs (334 ± 125 ng L −1 ) were much higher than those of ∑OPAHs (20.2 ± 7.49 ng L −1 ) in the two rivers, while NPAHs were barely detected. Concentrations of detected PACs were higher in wet season than dry season, probably resulted from the elevated particle input due to heavy rainfall in wet season. Concentrations of PAHs were higher in the particulate phase than dissolved phase, while OPAHs levels showed a reverse pattern. The partition coefficients ( K p ) of PACs in the water-SPM (suspended particulate matter) system were mainly affected by SPM concentrations and octanol/water partition coefficients of specific PACs. Human health risks calculated from non-probabilistic risk assessment model and probabilistic risk assessment model based on Monte Carlo simulation showed similar data pattern with slight difference in absolute values. Both models revealed potential or even severe human health risks contributed mainly by dermal exposure to aquatic PACs in this study. Furthermore, these models also manifested that infant stage was highly sensitive for PAC exposure. Sensitivity analysis indicated that health risk results was most sensitive to Benzo[a]pyrene equivalent toxic concentration (BaPeq ), followed by showering time and daily water intake volume. Levels of ecological risks and contributions of individual PACs differed from models based on different quality values. The adequacy of toxicity data was crucial for the reliability of ecological risk assessment. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Results from NPRA and PRA-MC models showed similar data pattern. Health risk results was most sensitive to BaPeq, followed by ST and DR. Infant is highly sensitive to aquatic PACs exposure, especially via dermal contact. The adequacy of toxicity data was crucial for ecological risk assessment.