Effect of physico-chemical characteristics on distribution of PAHs in different size sediments from the Wuhan Reach of the Yangtze River, China

摘要

The composition and environmental risks of PAHs in different size sediments collected from Yangtze River Catchment in Wuhan, China, were investigated. This study suggested that organic matter content in different size sediments was the main factor affecting the composition and distribution of PAH residues, but there was no significant relationship between the source of organic matter and PAH concentrations in sediments. Interestingly, total N, mostly contributed by organic nitrogen, also an indicator of the fertility of sediments, showed significant correlation with the distribution of PAHs. Black carbon exhibited importance in <25 μm size fraction sediment.