Characterizing the parent and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mangrove sediments of Hong Kong

Mar Pollut Bull. 2015 Sep 15;98(1-2):335-40. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.06.033. Epub 2015 Jun 22.

Abstract

Parent and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in mangrove sediments of Hong Kong. Most of the analytes were detected, and the dominant carbonylic and hydroxylated PAHs in mangrove sediments were 9-fluorenone and 2-hydroxy fluorene, respectively. The concentration of 9-fluorenone and 9,10-anthraquinone was higher than their parent PAHs. Moreover, the concentration of total organic matter (TOM) related with those of the parent PAHs and carbonylic PAHs, except for hydroxylated PAHs, which indicated that TOM was not the only factor regulating the distribution of oxygenated PAHs. Nevertheless, the parent PAHs in mangrove sediments was correlated positively with carbonylic PAHs which demostrated not only the similar source but also the fate of these two compound class. However, hydroxylated PAHs had different source by comparing with parent PAHs and carbonylic PAHs, they were probably originated from biodegradation and accumulated in mangrove sediments.

Keywords: Distribution; Mangrove; Oxygenated PAHs; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs); Sediments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anthraquinones / analysis
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Fluorenes / analysis
  • Geologic Sediments / analysis*
  • Hong Kong
  • Hydroxylation
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis*
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / chemistry*
  • Wetlands

Substances

  • Anthraquinones
  • Fluorenes
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • 9,10-anthraquinone
  • 9-fluorenone
  • 2-hydroxyfluorene
  • Oxygen