[Contamination and source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in epikarst spring water]

The water samples were collected from four typical epikarst springs in Nanchuan District, Chongqing Municipality between October 2010 and October 2011. Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in epikarst spring waters were quantitatively analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The objectives of this study were to investigate the seasonal variations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' concentration, composition, source and contamination characterization in epikarst springs water. The results showed that the detection ratios of 16 PAHs in four springs were 100%. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs fluctuated greatly in epikarst spring water during one year observation, and the concentration ranged from 341 to 4 968 ng x L(-1), with a mean value of 1772 ng x L(-1). The total concentrations of 7 carcinogenic PAHs in rain season were all higher than those in dry season in four epikarst springs. The PAHs profiles were dominated by (2-3) rings PAHs in spring water, which accounted for more than 50% of 16 PAHs. The PAHs in spring water mainly originated from the combustion of coal, biomass and petroleum, and during June to October 2011, PAHs originated from the combustion of coal and biomass had a larger contribution. The ratios of Ant/( Ant + Phe) and Fla/( Fla + Pyr) changing with seasons showed that Ant, Phe, Fla and Pyr were easy to migrate in epikarst soils. In 4 isomeric ratios, the ratios of Fla/(Fla + Pyr) were more sensitive to reflect the information of sources. Compared to other areas in the world, the concentration of 16 PAHs in epikarst spring water is at a higher level, which shows the epikarst spring water has been suffered the PAHs pollution.