Optimized Derivation of Predicted No-Effect Concentrations (PNECs) for Eight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Using HC10 Based on Acute Toxicity Data

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in key fishing ports of Hainan Island, China

The widespread distribution and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose significant environmental challenges for achieving sustainable development goals. Significant uncertainties exist in their emission sources driven by the complex social and economic activities. This study systematically quantified 16 priority PAHs in the aquatic environment of 10 key fishing ports around Hainan Island in China. The total PAH concentrations (∑16PAHs) were up to 3310 (mean: 569 ± 1050) ng L-1 in water and 3890 (mean: 1060 ± 1330) ng g-1 dry weight in sediment, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the concentrations of PAHs with fewer than 5 rings in water and dissolved oxygen. PAHs with 4 rings were predominant in all media, and they were used for source identification with diagnostic ratios. Results indicated small fishing boats as the primary emission source, and the emission pathways were delineated accordingly. The ecological risk assessment revealed that phenanthrene (Phe) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) posed potential chronic ecological risks, whereas anthracene (Ant) and pyrene (Pyr) presented potential acute ecological risks, varying by site. This study underscores the urgent need to ensure a balance between fishery activities and environmental sustainability.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) occurrences in water bodies, extraction techniques, detection methods, and standardized guidelines for PAHs in aqueous solutions

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a carcinogenic compound comprised of benzene ring(s). They occur naturally. However, the occurrence of anthropogenic PAHs (originates from human activities and man-made structures) may contribute to water pollution, risking the public health and aquatic life. This review describes occurrences of PAHs in water bodies, extraction techniques, detection methods, and standardized guidelines for PAHs in aqueous solutions. Previous research identifies PAH contamination across freshwater bodies due to proximity to pollution sources and hydrological factors. Despite analytical advancements, accurately quantifying and characterizing PAHs in complex environmental matrices remains challenging. Overall, this review supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) no. 6 (clean water and sanitation public) and no. 14 life below water.

Worst case scenario for chronic mixed ecotoxicity, assessment of ecological and human health risks from contaminants in an important economic harbor connected to the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt

This study is a preliminary assessment of the worst-case scenario of chronic cumulative toxicity of pollutants to marine life in Abu-Qir Bay, Egypt. In addition, human health risks from ingestion, ingestion during swimming, and dermal contact with contaminants were evaluated for children, females and males. Five heavy metals, thirteen polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), twenty pesticides (OCPs) and five polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in the seawater column and sediments. The average cumulative pollution indices, including the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI: 3.44 ± 0.24) and the Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI: 0.46 ± 0.04), reflected low impacts of heavy metal pollution in seawater, while the Mean Effect Range Medium Quotient (mERMQ: 0.123 ± 0.024) demonstrated low-moderate potential adverse biological effects in sediments. Among PAHs, Benzo[a]pyrene was the most abundant in the seawater (56.0 ng/L). Individual chronic RQSpecies(MEC/PNEC) (>1) values revealed high ecotoxicological sensitivity of invertebrates to Hg, Pb, and PAHs (Pyrene and Anthracene), fish to Pb, Cr, Hg, Cd, and PAHs (Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Fluoranthene, and Benzo[a]pyrene), and algae to Benzo[a]pyrene in sediments. The worst-case scenario of chronic ecotoxicity of a mixture of pollutants was evaluated by using Risk Quotients based on Predicted no Effect Concentration (RQMixture (MEC/PNEC)), Sum of Toxic Units (RQMixture(STU)), Relative Contribution (mixture RC) and %STU to algae, invertebrates and fish along the seawater and sediments in the study area. RQMixture (MEC/PNEC) and (mixture RC) values reflected that invertebrates were the most sensitive species to the pollutant mixture in seawater, while algae were the most sensitive species in sediments. In general, non-cancer and carcinogenic health risks to humans from exposure to a mixture of pollutants have not been shown to have any harmful effects, with the exception of chromium in seawater for children. Hazard Ratio (HR) values for children, females and males also demonstrated the potential carcinogenic effects of OCPs in seawater.

Impact of ultraviolet filters and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon from recreational activities on water reservoirs in southeast Queensland Australia

Water reservoirs and lakes are gaining popularity for recreation activities as populations increase and green spaces become in high demand. However, these activities may cause contamination to critical water resources. This study investigates the impact of recreational activities on the presence and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and ultraviolet (UV) filters in drinking water reservoirs in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Polydimethylsiloxane passive samplers were used to monitor 14 lakes over a 3-year period, focusing on seasonal variations and the influence of recreational activities such as petrol-powered boating and swimming. A total of 15 PAHs and six UV filters were detected, with chrysene (97%) and octyl salicylate (34%) being the most prevalent PAH and UV filter, respectively. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels were statistically significantly higher in lakes permitting petrol-powered boating, especially during summer (p = 0.005 to 0.05). Lake Maroon and Lake Moogerah were the only sites that showed significantly higher PAH levels in summer (3.9 ± 1.1 and 4.0 ± 1.2 ng L-1, respectively) than winter (1.6 ± 0.61 and 1.5 ± 0.84, respectively). Ultraviolet filters were generally detected in higher levels in lakes allowing swimming, with Lake Moogerah and Lake Sommerset measuring UV filter concentrations of 20 ± 4.1 and 20 ± 11 ng L-1 in summer, respectively. Other lakes that do not permit swimming, such as Lake Maroon and Lake Samsonvale, also exhibited elevated UV filter levels, suggesting illegal swimming. These findings highlight the complexity of PAH and UV filter presence, influenced by multiple factors including lake size, recreational activity type, and seasonal variations. The levels of individual PAHs and UV filters in this study were below established freshwater guidelines. However, when considering their bioaccumulation potential and mixture toxicity, mitigating the impact of these substances on our environment and the organisms within it should be of priority.

Ecological criteria for antibiotics in aquatic environments based on species sensitivity distribution

Due to the substantial production and use of antibiotics, they inevitably remain in aquatic environments, posing a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. However, there are currently no criteria of antibiotics for ecological risk in the water environment. In the present study, three types of antibiotics (tetracyclines, sulfonamides and quinolones) that are often detected in water environments were investigated. Toxicity data regarding bacteria, algae, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates were selected, and the species sensitivity distribution was used to obtain the ecological risk criteria of antibiotics to aquatic organisms. Animals are the least sensitive to antibiotics. The overall toxicity of antibiotics is most sensitive to bacteria and cyanobacteria, followed by green algae and plants. The recommended ecological criteria for tetracyclines, quinolones, and sulfonamides are 22, 17, and 94 μg/L, respectively. Ofloxacin needs to be used with caution because it has a small acute predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) of 0.6 μg/L. The ecological risk criterion for chronic toxicity of total antibiotics was determined to be 1.4 μg/L. The PNECs measured for the quinolone, tetracycline, and sulfonamide antibiotics were 0.5, 2.2, and 2.4 μg/L, respectively. Norfloxacin had the highest chronic toxicity zone of 353, indicating that chronic poisoning is most likely to occur. Moreover, there was an exponential correlation between acute PNEC and chronic PNEC. In addition, a quantitative structure-activity relationship model was constructed for acute ecological risk criteria of antibiotics to aquatic organisms. These findings can expand the ecological risk threshold data on the effects of antibiotics on aquatic organisms, and provide a theoretical basis for the environmental risk assessment of antibiotics.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their halogenated derivatives in soil from Yellow River Delta: Distribution, source apportionment, and risk assessment

The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and halogenated PAHs (HPAHs) in surface soils from the petroleum industrial area of the Yellow River Delta (YRD) in China were investigated. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 19.6 to 1560 ng/g, while 22 HPAHs ranged from 2.44 to 14.9 ng/g. Moreover, a high degree of spatial distribution heterogeneity was observed for both PAHs and HPAHs, which is likely attributed to the distinct industrial activities in studied area. The combustion of biomass and petroleum were identified as primary sources of soil PAHs and HPAHs in the YRD. Furthermore, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene exhibited high ecological risks (with risk quotients of 1.47, 1.44, and 1.02, respectively) in specific sites within the YRD. Considering the high toxicity of HPAHs and their potential joint environmental effects with PAHs, continuous attention should be directed towards the environmental risks associated with both PAHs and HPAHs.

Assessment of potential ecological risk for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban soils with high level of atmospheric particulate matter concentration

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to be representative carcinogenic environmental pollutants with high toxicity. However, information on the potential ecological and environmental risks of PAH contamination in soil remains scarce. Thus, this study was evaluated the potential ecological risks of PAHs in soils of five Korean areas (Gunsan (GS), Gwangju, Yeongnam, Busan, and Gangwon) using organic carbon (OC)-normalized analysis, mean effect range-median quotient (M-ERM-Q), toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) analysis, and risk quotient (RQ) derived by the species sensitivity distribution model. In this study, atmospheric particulate matter has a significant effect on soil pollution in GS through the presence of hopanes and the similar pattern of PAHs in soil and atmospheric PAHs. From analysis of source identification, combustion sources in soils of GS were important PAH sources. For PAHs in soils of GS, the OC-normalized analysis, M-ERM-Q, and TEQ analysis have 26.78 × 105 ng/g-OC, 0.218, and 49.72, respectively. Therefore, the potential ecological risk assessment results showed that GS had moderate-high ecological risk and moderate-high carcinogenic risk, whereas the other regions had low ecological risk and low-moderate carcinogenic risk. The risk level (M-ERM-Q) of PAH contamination in GS was similar to that in Changchun and Xiangxi Bay in China. The Port Harcourt City in Nigeria for PAH has the highest risk (M-ERM-Q = 4.02 and TEQ = 7923). Especially, compared to China (RQPhe =0.025 and 0.05), and Nigeria (0.059), phenanthrene showed the highest ecological risk in Korea (0.001-0.18). Korea should focus on controlling the release of PAHs originating from the PM in GS.