Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are significant components of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and pose a threat to both ecosystems and human health. To explore their spatial distribution, origins, and risk assessment, we collected 25 glacial meltwater and downstream river water samples in the eastern Tibetan Plateau (including the Qilian Mountains in the northeast) during the summer of 2022 (June-July). Our results showed that 1PAHs and 1PCBs were present in a wide range from ND-1380 ng/L and ND-1421 ng/L, respectively. Compared to other studies worldwide, the 1PAHs and 1PCBs in the Hengduan Mountains were at high levels. The PAHs and PCBs mainly consisted of low-molecular-weight homologs, including Ace, Flu, Phe, and PCB52. Phe was the primary com-ponent of PAHs. Glacial meltwater samples generally exhibited low concentration of PAHs and PCB52, whereas down-stream river water samples typically showed high concentration of PAHs and PCB52. We attributed this characteristic to the influence of pollutants physicochemical properties, altitude effect, long-range transport (LRT), and local environ-mental conditions. In the eastern Tibetan Plateau glacier basin (especially in the Hailuogou watersheds), the concentra-tion of PAHs and PCB52 in runoff generally increased with decreasing elevation. We believe that the primary factor affecting the concentration of PAHs and PCB52 in the region is the difference in local human activity inputs from various altitudes. The composition characteristics of PAHs and PCBs suggested that incomplete coal combustion and coking dis-charge mainly caused PAHs, while the combustion of coal and charcoal and the release of capacitors primarily caused PCBs. We assessed the carcinogenic risk of PAHs and PCBs in the glacier basin of the TP and found that the potential threat of PAHs was stronger than that of PCBs. Overall, this study provides new insights into the ecological security of water re-sources in eastern Tibetan Plateau. It is significant for controlling PAHs and PCBs emissions, assessing the ecological en-vironment of the glacier watershed, and regional human health.
Liu, X., Dong, Z., Baccolo, G., Gao, W., Li, Q., Wei, T., et al. (2023). Distribution, composition and risk assessment of PAHs and PCBs in cryospheric watersheds of the eastern Tibetan Plateau. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 890 [10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164234].
Distribution, composition and risk assessment of PAHs and PCBs in cryospheric watersheds of the eastern Tibetan Plateau
Baccolo, Giovanni;
2023-01-01
Abstract
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are significant components of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and pose a threat to both ecosystems and human health. To explore their spatial distribution, origins, and risk assessment, we collected 25 glacial meltwater and downstream river water samples in the eastern Tibetan Plateau (including the Qilian Mountains in the northeast) during the summer of 2022 (June-July). Our results showed that 1PAHs and 1PCBs were present in a wide range from ND-1380 ng/L and ND-1421 ng/L, respectively. Compared to other studies worldwide, the 1PAHs and 1PCBs in the Hengduan Mountains were at high levels. The PAHs and PCBs mainly consisted of low-molecular-weight homologs, including Ace, Flu, Phe, and PCB52. Phe was the primary com-ponent of PAHs. Glacial meltwater samples generally exhibited low concentration of PAHs and PCB52, whereas down-stream river water samples typically showed high concentration of PAHs and PCB52. We attributed this characteristic to the influence of pollutants physicochemical properties, altitude effect, long-range transport (LRT), and local environ-mental conditions. In the eastern Tibetan Plateau glacier basin (especially in the Hailuogou watersheds), the concentra-tion of PAHs and PCB52 in runoff generally increased with decreasing elevation. We believe that the primary factor affecting the concentration of PAHs and PCB52 in the region is the difference in local human activity inputs from various altitudes. The composition characteristics of PAHs and PCBs suggested that incomplete coal combustion and coking dis-charge mainly caused PAHs, while the combustion of coal and charcoal and the release of capacitors primarily caused PCBs. We assessed the carcinogenic risk of PAHs and PCBs in the glacier basin of the TP and found that the potential threat of PAHs was stronger than that of PCBs. Overall, this study provides new insights into the ecological security of water re-sources in eastern Tibetan Plateau. It is significant for controlling PAHs and PCBs emissions, assessing the ecological en-vironment of the glacier watershed, and regional human health.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
