Chemical characteristics and pollution sources of petroleum hydrocarbons and PAHs in sediments from the Beiluohe River,Northern China

To determine the degree of hydrocarbon contamination and the contribution of local petroleum industries to contaminant loadings in sediments from the Beiluohe River, China, 12 surface sediment samples were collected for geochemical analysis in 2005. Sediment samples were extracted by organic solvents, separated by silica gel column chromatography and the profiles of n-alkanes, biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Concentrations of total hydrocarbons in the sediments varied from 12.1 to 3,761.5 μg g⁻¹ dry wt, indicating that most sediments in Beiluohe River was only slightly to moderately contaminated by hydrocarbons. Concentrations of PAHs for six samples (sum of 16 isomers) varied from 17.7 to 407.7 ng g⁻¹ dry wt and at present low levels of PAHs did not cause adverse biological effects in Beiluohe River sedimentary environment. PAH compositions, n-alkanes and biomarker profiles all suggested that there were different sources of contaminations in studied areas. n-Alkanes reflect two distinct sources: a fossil n-alkane series from crude oil at sites S40, S43, S87 and plantwax n-alkanes at sites S39 and S45. Judged by their PAH ratios, the sediments at site S15 were pyrolytic, sediments at S17 and S43 were petrogenic, and sediments at S39, S40 and S64 had a mixture source of pyrolytic and petrogenic.     

Evaluation of hydrocarbon pollution in marine sediments of Sfax coastal areas from the Gabes Gulf of Tunisia,Mediterranean Sea

The Tunisian environmental legislation that follows the EC Directives requires monitoring of persistent, toxic and bio-accumulated substances commonly considered as hazardous substances. In order to comply with this requirement, samples of sea water, sediment and biota from the urbanized and industrialized coast line of Sfax city are investigated. This study presents the results of petroleum hydrocarbon content, distribution and probable origin (anthropogenic and/or biogenic) in 16 intertidal sediments of Sfax coastal area. Alkane distribution indices and hydrocarbon distribution patterns are used to identify natural and anthropogenic input. Non-aromatic hydrocarbons present a high concentration with a range varying from 180 to 1,400 μg/g of dry sediment. The total concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) varied from 0.41 to 5.6 μg/g dry weight. These concentrations are comparable to other marine areas that receive important inputs. n-Alkanes with carbon number ranging from 15 to 35 are identified to be derived from both biogenic and anthropogenic sources in varying proportions. Pristane/phytane ratio shows values lower than 1.4 suggesting the presence of petroleum contamination. This is confirmed by the presence of a large group of unresolved complex mixture and the identification of hopanes with predominant C29 and C30 compounds and steranes with predominance of C27 over C28 and C29 compounds. Ratios of selected PAH concentrations indicate petrogenic and pyrolytic origin of hydrocarbons. Anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs were more apparent at sites associated with industrial discharges, shipping activities and sewage outfalls.     

Tidal river sediments in the Washington,D.C. area. II. Distribution and sources of organic contaminants

Concentration of aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated hydrocarbons were determined from 33 surface-sediment samples taken from the Tidal Basin, Washington Ship Channel, and the Anacostia and Potomac rivers in Washington, D.C. In conjunction with these samples, selected storm sewers and outfalls also were sampled to help elucidate general sources of contamination to the area. All of the sediments contained detectable concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, DDT (total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene), DDD (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane), PCBs (total polychlorinated biphenyls) and total chlordanes (oxy-, α-, and γ-chlordane and cis + trans-nonachlor). Sediment concentrations of most contaminants were highest in the Anacostia River just downstream of the Washington Navy Yard, except for total chlordane, which appeared to have upstream sources in addition to storm and combined sewer runoff. This area has the highest number of storm and combined sewer outfalls in the river. Potomac River stations had lower concentrations than other stations. Total hydrocarbons (THC), normalized to the fine-grain fraction (clay + silt, < 63 μm), ranged from 120 μg g^?1 to, 1,900 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment. The hydrocarbons were dominated by the unresolved complex mixture (UCM), with total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations ranging from 4 μg g^?1 to 33 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment. Alkyl-substituted compounds (e.g., C1 to C4 methyl groups) of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrere + anthracene, and chrysene series dominated the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, saturated hydrocarbons, and the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) distributions reflect mixtures of combustion products (i.e., pyrogenic sources) and direct discharges of petroleum products. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 0.075 μg g^?1 to 2.6 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment, with highest concentrations in the Anacostia River. Four to six C1-substituted biphenyls were the most-prevalent PCBs. Variability in the PCB distribution was observed in different sampling areas, reflecting, differing proportion of Arochlor inputs and degradation. The concentration of all contaminants was generally higher in sediments closer to known sewer outfalls, with concentrations of total hydrocarbon, PAHs, and PCBs as high as 6,900 μg g^?1, 620 μg g^?1, and 20 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment, respectively. Highest PCB concentrations were found in two outfalls that drain into the Tidal Basin. Concentrations of organic contaminants from sewers draining to the Washington Ship Channel and Anacostia River had higher concentrations than sediments of the mid-channel or river. Sources of PCBs appear to be related to specific outfalls, while hydrocarbon inputs, especially PAHs, are diffuse, and may be related to street runoff. Whereas most point-source contaninant inputs have been regulated, the importance of nonpoint source inputs must be assessed for their potential addition of contaminants to aquatic ecosystems. This study indicates that in large urban areas, nonpoint sources deliver substantial amounts of contaminants to ecosystems through storm and combined sewer systems, and control of these inputs must be addressed.     

Risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the West Port semi-enclosed basin (Malaysia)

Sediment samples collected from the West Port, the west coastal waters of Malaysia, were analyzed by standard methods to determine the degree of hydrocarbon contamination and identify the sources of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concentrations of PAHs in the port sediments ranged from 100.3 to 3,446.9 μg/kg dw. The highest concentrations were observed in stations close to the coastline, locations affected by intensive shipping activities and industrial input. These were dominated by high-molecular-weight PAHs (4–6 rings). Source identification showed that PAHs originated mostly pyrogenically, from the combustion of fossil fuels, grass, wood, and coal or from petroleum combustion. Regarding ecological risk estimation, only station 7 was moderately polluted, the rest of the stations suffered rare or slight adverse biological effects with PAH exposure in surface sediment, suggesting that PAHs are not considered as contaminants of concern in the West Port.     

Concentrations and possible sources of PAHs in sediments from Bohai Bay and adjacent shelf

Concentrations, spatial distribution and sources of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants were investigated in surface sediments of Bohai Bay, North China. Total concentrations of PAHs were in the range of 140.6–300.7 ng/g (dry wt), with an average of 188.0 ng/g. The three predominant PAHs were phenanthrene, acenaphthene and naphthalene. Sedimentary PAH concentrations of the north and central Bohai Bay were higher than those of the southern side of this bay. PAHs source analysis suggested that PAHs in most of the sediments were mainly from grass, wood and coal incomplete combustion. At other stations near the estuaries (Luanhe River Estuary and Chaohe River Estuary) or the oil drilling platform, both petrogenic and pyrogenic inputs were significant. The pyrogenic PAHs close to the oil drilling platform were mainly from petroleum combustion.     

Hydrocarbons in the surficial sediments of Lakes St. Clair,Erie, and Ontario

Although the long-term effects and the fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine and freshwater environments are not fully understood, it is generally recognized that much of the oil released by accidental spills or by various land sources ends up in the sediment where it may remain for at least several years The present study was undertaken to collect some initial data on the hydrocarbon concentrations in surficial sediments of lakes St Clair, Erie, and Ontario The distribution of hydrocarbons in these lakes followed the general patterns found for a number of contaminants, in that the distribution tended to coincide with the outlines of the sedimentary basins The highest concentrations were found in the Western Basin of Lake Erie and in the inshore zone around the west end of the lake, suggesting major inputs from the Detroit River Apart from some spots of high concentration around known dumping grounds, the concentrations gradually diminish toward the east The distribution pattern in Lake Ontario may be more readily ascribed to water circulation patterns than to any specific source around the lake The hydrocarbon levels were found to be significantly lower than those in Lake Erie in Lake St Clair only trace quantities of hydrocarbons were found, suggesting either low inputs or low sedimentation/accumulation rates due to its shallowness Although the present survey was limited to the top 3 cm of the sediments, the resulting distribution patterns indicate the western end of Lake Erie as the area with the heaviest hydrocarbon loadings The results may also facilitate the selection of specific areas where core sampling coupled with more complete analysis of the extracts could yield significant information on the long-term accumulation of anthropogenic hydrocarbons, and on their persistence and transformations in Great Lakes sediments     

Application of spatial analysis and multivariate analysis techniques in distribution and source study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the topsoil of Beijing,China

Surface soil samples were collected from 161 sites throughout the downtown and suburban area of Beijing, China. The samples were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations. Through Kriging analysis, five heavily contaminated zones were identified in the study area. Sources of PAHs in the soil were apportioned using principal factor analysis and multiple linear regression. Three factors were identified representing coal combustion/vehicle emission, coking emission, and petroleum sources, respectively. The relative contributions of the three sources were 48% for coal/vehicle emission, 28% for coking emission, and 24% for petroleum sources. The contributions of total PAHs from the three sources were 16.4, 4.63 and 3.70 ng g⁻¹, respectively. Spatial analysis indicated that the contribution of coal/vehicle sources was higher in the downtown area than in the suburban area, the petroleum sources had a high contribution in the urban area, and the contribution of coking sources was high in the suburban area. The results indicated that PAH contamination in the surface soil in Beijing was closely related to the spatial characteristics of energy consumption and functional zoning. Improvement of the energy consumption structure and relocation of industries with heavy pollution are effective ways to control PAH contamination in surface soil in the area.     

Role of prior exposure on anaerobic degradation of naphthalene and phenanthrene in marine harbor sediments

The anaerobic degradation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) naphthalene and phenanthrene was investigated in several marine harbor sediments. In sediments from Boston Harbor that were heavily contaminated with petroleum, [¹⁴C]-naphthalene and [¹⁴C]-phenanthrene were oxidized to ¹⁴CO₂ without a lag, suggesting that the microbial community was adapted for anaerobic PAH oxidation in situ. The addition of molybdate, a specific inhibitor of sulfate-reducing microorganisms, inhibited PAH mineralization which suggested that sulfate reducers were involved in the anaerobic oxidation of the PAHs. PAHs were also anaerobically oxidized at another site in Boston Harbor that was less heavily contaminated, but at a slower rate than in the most heavily contaminated sediments. Sediments not contaminated with petroleum did not significantly oxidize the PAHs. A similar correspondence between rates of anaerobic PAH oxidation and the degree of PAH contamination was observed in sediments from Tampa Bay and San Diego Bay. When relatively pristine sediments from San Diego Bay that did not have a significant capacity for anaerobic PAH oxidation were exposed to high concentrations of naphthalene, they developed a potential for naphthalene degradation that was comparable to that in sediments that had a history of PAH contamination. The increase in potential for naphthalene degradation in the sediments exposed to naphthalene was associated with an increase in naphthalene-degrading microorganisms. These results suggest that many marine harbor sediments contain microorganisms capable of anaerobically oxidizing PAHs under sulfate-reducing conditions and that these microorganisms will respond with an increase in their activity when PAHs are introduced into the sediments. Thus, if PAH inputs into harbor sediments from petroleum can be reduced there may be a widespread potential for microorganisms to remove this PAH contamination from the sediments, despite anaerobic conditions.     

Waters and organic-rich waste near dumping grounds in the New York Bight

The New York Bight is a sector of the Middle Atlantic continental shelf. The Bight consists of a part of the Atlantic Ocean offshore of the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. This area includes the most populated coastal setting in North America. The Atlantic shelf and its estuaries are used for waste disposal, dredging, commercial fishing, and recreation; activities that contribute to the contamination of associated bottom sediments. Existing data for toxicants are still inadequate. Improvements in sediment and water quality will require a more detailed knowledge and understanding of sediments and water in the Bight. Eleven coring stations were established in New York Bight. Decreases in pH and Eh both above and below the water/sediment interface are attributed to the activity of anaerobic bacteria. Sulfate reduction is one of the important processes in lowering pH. Low Eh values of up to −443 can be related to sulfate-reducing bacteria. The highest negative Eh generally occurs with the highest organic carbon concentration. Core samples yielded up to 4.00% organic carbon compared to 0.8 to 1.2% in sediments of the natural nearshore environment. Twenty-seven different aliphatic hydrocarbons, fourteen PAHs, five cyclic hydrocarbons, and eight dicarboxylic acids were identified in the Bight pore waters. Sediment located deeper in the Hudson Shelf Valley has a greater abundance of aliphatic hydrocarbons as adsorbed pollution on clay and silt. The presence of dicarboxylic acids leached from plastic came from anthropogenic activities (mostly sewage). PAHs have two sources: coal ash (observed in sediments) and petroleum (part of the sewage, run-offs, and oil spills). The rest of the hydrocarbons have a petroleum or biogenic origin. The high amount of organic carbon may be the result of sewage sludge or originated from natural sources. The main sources of contaminants are dumpsites, emergency releases after heavy rainstorms from sewage-treatment plants, tanker washing, storage transfer spills, run-off, and air-borne pollution. The relatively high accumulation of organic matter causes oxygen depletion, which creates anaerobic conditions. The presence of hydrogen sulfide makes the environment toxic for most of the biota. Detected hydrocarbons, especially PAHs easily enter the food chain and may cause cancer and mutagenic reactions of biota and humans. Organic petrology of six organic-rich sediments from New York Harbor illustrates a diverse population of anthropogenic and natural organic components. Three core samples (V-2, AC-4, and HV-3) contain coarse-textured organic matter. A slim majority of those components are anthropogenic. They are derived mainly from coal combustion by-products. The other two core samples (AC-6 and T-1) contain mainly very fine-grained organic matter. A majority of them are amorphous organic matter (AOM) that is derived from bacterial degradation of modern organic matter. Radionuclide dating (¹³⁷Cs, K-40, Pb-210) shows post-1950 components for the shallowest intervals in the cores (<30 cm). The post-1950 sediment, distributed in the tops of core, is recycled material from the dumpsites. The underlying sediment has isotopic signatures that suggest dates before active dumping.     

Reducing leachable petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in weathered fuel oil contaminated soil by chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide

Number 6 fuel oil is one of the most used energy sources for electricity generation. However, leaks can contaminate soil and also groundwater due to leaching. At old sites, the oil may have low toxicity but still contaminate groundwater with foul-tasting compounds even at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying H₂O₂ to reduce the leaching potential of a fuel oil contaminated soil. A silt-loam soil was collected from a contaminated thermal-electric plant with a hydrocarbon concentration of 3.2% in soil producing 4.3 mg/l in leachate. Hydrogen peroxide was applied (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2% dry weight basis), and petroleum hydrocarbons were measured in soil and leachate pre- and post-treatment (72 h). At first, the soil and leachate concentrations diminished linearly (24.4 and 27.3% in soil and leachate, respectively). This was followed by a phase in which the concentration in leachate diminished greatly (75.8%) although the concentration in soil was reduced only moderately (15.1%). Overall, hydrocarbons in leachates were reduced 82.4% even though concentrations in soil were only reduced 35.8%. Correlation analysis showed that at only 1.0% w/w H₂O₂ a concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in leachate safe for human consumption (≤ 1 mg/l) could be obtained even with a final hydrocarbon concentration in soil > 2%. Thus, this study presents an alternative strategy for remediation of fuel oil contaminated soils in urban environments that protects water sources by focusing on contamination in leachates, without spending extra financial resources to reduce the hydrocarbon concentration in low-toxicity soil.     

Hydrocarbon components in carbonaceous meteorites

Currently, the presence of free n-alkanes and isoprenoid alkanes in carbonaceous meteorites is usually explained either by microbial contamination during the period between the meteorite fall and collection or by contamination from the environment of analytical laboratories and museums. The goal of this research was to repeat analysis of hydrocarbon components in meteorites and to investigate possible meteorite contamination routes discussed in the literature. Experimental analysis of free organic constituents in five carbonaceous meteorites by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and gas chromatographic (GC) methods confirmed the presence of extractable aliphatic components, n-alkanes in the C₁₅H₃₂-C₂₇H₅₆ range and isoprenoid alkanes (phytane, pristane, and norpristane), in some of these meteorites. The contents of these compounds vary depending on the source. Insoluble organic components of two meteorites (meteorite kerogens) were isolated, and their composition was analyzed by IR and cracking/GC methods. Comparison with the data on several terrestrial contamination sources proposed in the literature shows that the presence of free saturated hydrocarbons in meteorites and the composition of the meteorite kerogen could not be explained either by microbial contamination or by contamination from the laboratory environment. The types of the hydrocarbons in meteorites resemble those typical of ancient terrestrial deposits of organic-rich sediments, except for the absence of lighter hydrocarbons, which apparently slowly evaporated in space, and multi-ring naphthenic compounds of the biologic origin, steranes, terpanes, etc. The prevailing current explanation for the presence of free linear saturated hydrocarbons in carbonaceous meteorites, apart from contamination, is the abiotic route from hydrogen and carbon monoxide. However, the data on the structure of meteorite kerogens require a search for different routes that initially produce complex polymeric structures containing n-alkyl and isoprenoid chains which are attached, via polar links (esters, salts, etc.), to a cross-linked polymer matrix. Later, the polymer slowly decomposes with the liberation of free aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

Sources and bioavailability of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in Galveston Bay, Texas

Oyster and sediment samples collected from six sites in Galveston Bay from 1986 to 1998 were analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Total concentrations of parent PAHs in oysters ranged from 20 ng g⁻¹ at one site to 9,242 ng g⁻¹ at another and varied randomly with no clear trend over the 13 year period at any site. Concentrations of alkylated PAHs, which are indications of petroleum contamination, varied from 20 to 80,000 ng g⁻¹ in oysters and were in higher abundance than the parent PAHs, indicating that one source of the PAH contaminants in Galveston Bay was petroleum and petroleum products. Four to six ring parent PAHs, which are indicative of combustion source , were higher than those of 2–3 ring parent PAHs, suggesting incomplete combustion generated PAHs was another source of PAHs into Galveston Bay. Concentrations of parent PAHs in sediments ranged from 57 to 670 ng g⁻¹ and were much lower than those in oysters. Sediments from one site had a high PAH concentration of 5,800 ng g⁻¹. Comparison of the compositions and concentrations of PAHs between sediment and oysters suggests that oysters preferentially bioaccumulate four to six ring PAHs. PAH composition in sediments suggests that the sources of PAH pollution in Galveston Bay were predominantly pyrogenic, while petroleum related PAHs were secondary contributions into the Bay.     

Pollution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） in oily sludge from the Zhongyuan Oilfield and its peripheral soils

The purpose of this study is to determine the degree of contamination caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in oily sludge and soils around it in the Zhongyuan Oilfield. The contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in oily sludge samples were determined with HPLC. The contents of PAHs of oily sludge from three different oil production plants vary from high to low in the order of the Wenming oily sludge dumping site of No. 3 Oil Production Plant (3W)>the Mazhai oily sludge dumping site of No. 3 Oil Production Plant (3M)>the Wen’er oily sludge dumping site of No. 4 Oil Production Plant (4W). Naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorine and phenanthrene are the major pollutants of PAHs in oily sludge. The contents of PAHs in soil samples around the oily sludge dumping sites vary widely from 434.49 to 2408.8 ng/g. Naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorine, phenanthrene and pyrene are the characteristic factors of PAHs in soil samples of 3M and 3W, and naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorine and phenanthrene are the characteristic factors of PAHs in soil samples of 4W. According to these data and the ratios of Fl/Py, PAHs in oily sludge samples come mainly from petrogenic sources, and soil samples are divided into petrogenic soil samples and mixed-source soil samples, and both petrogenic and pyrogenic soil samples in terms of the sources of PAHs. The classification by Nemero index P indicates that soils around the oily sludge dumping sites have been seriously polluted.     

Hydrocarbon biodegradation and soil microbial community response to repeated oil exposure

Bioremediation strategies continue to be developed to mitigate the environmental impact of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. This study investigated the ability of soil microbiota, adapted by prior exposure, to biodegrade petroleum. Soils from Barrow Is. (W. Australia), a class A nature reserve and home to Australia’s largest onshore oil field, were exposed to Barrow production oil (50 ml/kg soil) and incubated (25 °C) for successive phases of 61 and 100 days. Controls in which oil was not added at Phase I or II were concurrently studied and all treatments were amended with the same levels of additional nutrient and water to promote microbial activity. Prior exposure resulted in accelerated biodegradation of most, but not all, hydrocarbon constituents in the production oil. Molecular biodegradation parameters measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) showed that several aromatic constituents were degraded more slowly with increased oil history. The unique structural response of the soil microbial community was reflected by the response of different phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) sub-classes (e.g. branched saturated fatty acids of odd or even carbon number) measured using a ratio termed Barrow PLFA ratio (B-PLFAr). The corresponding values of a previously proposed hydrocarbon degrading alteration index showed a negative correlation with hydrocarbon exposure, highlighting the site specificity of PLFA-based ratios and microbial community dynamics. B-PLFAr values increased with each Phase I and II addition of production oil. The different hydrocarbon biodegradation rates and responses of PLFA subclasses to the Barrow production oil probably relate to the relative bioavailability of production oil hydrocarbons. These different effects suggest preferred structural and functional microbial responses to anticipated contaminants may potentially be engineered by controlled pre-exposure to the same or closely related substrates. The bioremediation of soils freshly contaminated with petroleum could benefit from the addition of exhaustively bioremediated soils rich in biota primed for the impacting hydrocarbons.     

Levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in selected irrigated urban agricultural soils in Accra, Ghana

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous organic pollutants in urban environments including urban soils. Elevated concentrations of PAHs in urban soils are caused by incomplete combustion of petroleum and coal. This study assesses 16 individual PAH compounds in a total of 112 surficial soil samples. The objective was to assess and compare the levels of contamination as well as examine the main sources of PAHs in four urban agricultural soils using molecular ratios of some specific hydrocarbons. The study showed that PAH levels in soil ranged from 1.23 ng/kg in soil collected from Dzorwulu to 2.95 ng/kg in soil collected from Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC) vegetable irrigation site. Of the total PAHs, the more water soluble PAHs (2–4 rings), which tend to be concentrated in the vapour phase were found to dominate the soils. The percentage dominance were Dzorwulu (52.8 %), Marine Drive (62.5 %), CSIR (53.2 %) and GBC (49.2 %). However, there were significant levels of the more carcinogenic PAHs (5–6 rings) present with percentages as 47.1, 37.5 46.8 and 50.8 % for Dzorwulu, Marine Drive, CSIR and GBC vegetable irrigation sites, respectively, and therefore, may impact negatively on public health. Based on the classification by the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation in Pulawy, Poland, urban soils in Accra could be classified as contaminated to different levels. Molecular ratios of Flu/pyr and PA/Ant were calculated to determine the main sources of PAHs. Results showed that PAHs could originate mainly from incomplete combustion of petroleum products, especially from atmospheric fallout from automobile exhausts. The study further showed that B(a)P concentration of 0.05 ng/kg in soil from GBC urban vegetable irrigation site requires immediate clean-up exercise and monitoring to mitigate human health impact.     

Alkane and PAH biomarkers as tracers of terrigenous organic carbon in Arctic Ocean sediments

We present the first sedimentary biomarker study encompassing the entire Arctic Ocean. A large data set of organic markers for terrigenous, petroleum and combustion inputs [alkanes, hopanes and steranes, parent and alkyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] is examined for patterns in space and time using principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS). Biomarker patterns reveal the central Arctic Ocean basin sediments to be compositionally distinct from those of the Mackenzie River/Beaufort Sea and Barents Sea, but similar to those of the Laptev Sea. PAH distributions reflected in PAH ratios and PCA projections demonstrate that Arctic Ocean sediment is dominated by natural inputs to the extent that anthropogenic combustion PAHs are not significant. We find only modest changes between the glacial and post-glacial sediments for atmospherically transported hydrocarbon biomarkers, while particle associated biomarkers were captured strongly at basin edges during the glacial period, and much more evenly transported across basins during the post-glacial period. The orders of magnitude decreases in particle associated petrogenic alkanes and PAHs in central basins during glacial times, coupled with the uniformity of most petrogenic biomarker parameters for most basin and shelf locations, reflect a massive reduction in ice transport that makes the margins the most likely source of petrogenic material for the Pleistocene/Holocene central Arctic basins. The proximity of large coal deposits of various maturity levels along the Lena River, the overlap in PAH and biomarker composition of the Laptev Sea and surficial sediments from the central Arctic Ocean and the location of the Laptev Sea at the origin of the main Transpolar Drift all point to eroded coals from the Lena River/Laptev Sea as the likely source of petrogenic hydrocarbons to the central Arctic Ocean. The ubiquitous presence of allochthonous coal in Arctic Ocean surface sediments provides a major constraint on the use of petrogenic biomarkers to infer the presence of subsurface petroleum reserves.     

北京通州某改造区土壤中PAHs的来源分析及风险评价

近些年,随着我国城市化进程不断加快,土壤中多环芳烃污染已经成为威胁土壤环境质量和人体健康的主要因素。文章采集了北京市通州某改造区15件表层土壤（0~20 cm）样品,利用GC-MS分析技术,研究了土壤中美国环境保护署（USEPA）优控的16种多环芳烃（PAHs）的含量及组分特征,根据多环芳烃的空间分布特征和特定成分之间的浓度比值结合多元统计法分析了其污染来源,初步评价了其污染水平,并进行健康风险评价。结果表明:表层土壤中16种多环芳烃含量范围为6.57~8 307.2 μg/kg,均值为1 004.08 μg/kg。多环芳烃组分特征及Fla与（Fla+Pyr）、BaA与(BaA+Chr)的相对质量比值特征显示改造区是燃煤和汽车尾气混合型来源;多元统计后发现石油烃类污染源和化石燃料燃烧源是两种主要成分。最后参照《污染场地风险评估技术导则（HJ 25.3—2014）》对土壤中PAHs进行了健康风险评价,除苯并（a）芘（BaP）致癌风险值略偏高不可接受外,其余致癌与非致癌风险值均可接受。     

Use of a forensic geochemical technique and a hydrogeological assessment to determine the source of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination at a foreshore site in Korea

Investigations undertaken in 2013 at a foreshore site that was historically used for ship repairs in Korea indicated that soil and groundwater were contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons over an area of 10,000 m². Groundwater investigations and modelling were undertaken to determine the characteristics of aquifers beneath the site, including the direction and rate of groundwater flow and the extent of dispersion of total petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. To identify petroleum products residing in contaminated soils, the hump of an unresolved complex mixture on the baseline found in the data of gas chromatography was used as a new method. Based on objective facts obtained from basic investigation, the current state of contamination, and discrimination of oil species, the polluter as specified in the Korean Soil Environment Conservation Act was identified.     

中国非常规油气勘探与研究新进展

全球油气勘探目标的转移和石油地质学的发展,具有从毫-微米孔喉的圈闭油气,逐渐向纳米孔喉的连续型油气聚集发展的趋势。近十年非常规油气资源在全球能源格局中的地位愈发重要,致密气、煤层气、重油、沥青砂等已成为勘探开发的重点领域,致密油成为亮点领域,页岩气成为热点领域。中国致密气、页岩气、致密油、煤层气等非常规油气资源勘探开发取得重要突破,油页岩、天然气水合物、油砂矿等有重要进展。中国非常规油气研究也取得重大进展,陆相敞流湖盆大型浅水三角洲砂体、湖盆中心砂质碎屑流沉积和湖相碳酸盐岩等,提供了湖盆中心储集体形成和分布的理论依据;创新发展了连续型油气聚集理念,明晰了连续型油气聚集的10个基本地质特征和2项关键标志,为大面积非常规油气规模勘探开发奠定了理论基础;系统表征了致密油气储层的纳米级微观孔喉结构,首次发现了纳米孔喉中油气的赋存,推动了纳米孔喉中油气流动机制和分布规律的研究。随着全球石油工业和纳米等技术的快速发展,提出了"纳米油气"概念,并指出这是未来石油工业的发展方向,需要发展纳米油气透视观测镜、纳米油气驱替剂、纳米油气开采机器人等换代技术,油气智能化时代即将到来。     

Environmental changes in Saginaw Bay,Lake Huron recorded by geolipid contents of sediments deposited since 1800

Changes in organic materials preserved within sediments of Saginaw Bay deposited over the past two centuries record corresponding periods in the environmental history of this part of Lake Huron and its watershed. Sediments deposited since 1940 show an increasingly greater input of aquatic organic matter in response to accelerating cultural eutrophication of Saginaw Bay. Concentrations of fatty acids, sterols, fatty alcohols, and aliphatic hydrocarbons are higher in these modern sediments than in deeper ones. Molecular distributions of these geolipids reflect less aquatic material deeper in the sediments. Prior to 1875, sediment organic matter appears to be diluted by mineral matter from enhanced erosion caused by clearing of the watershed for farming and settlement. During this period there is better preservation of carbonate minerals due to quicker burial. Since 1875, petroleum components comprise over 90% of the total aliphatic hydrocarbon content of these sediments, reflecting the advent and continued existence of chronic, low-level petroleum contamination of this part of the Great Lakes.