Distribution, source apportionment and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface sediments of coal mining subsidence waters

Abstract

To probe into the concentration, composition and other pollution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface sediments of coal mining subsidence water, Yangzhuang coal mining subsidence waters in Panyi Mine of China are determined as the object of this research, where 11 surface sediment samples are collected to detect and analyze PAHs with a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) and make source apportionment with factor analysis and ecological risk assessment. The results show that 16 kinds of PAHs have all been detected, with the content level of ∑PAHs reaching 55 to 755 ng g⁻¹ and the average content of that reaching 288 ng g⁻¹. PAHs with three or four rings dominate. The pollution level of PAHs is quite low and mostly comes from combustion and oil. Most of these 16 kinds of PAHs have been proved to be of no potential ecological risk.