Composition, content, source, and risk assessment of PAHs in intertidal sediment in Shilaoren Bay, Qingdao, China

Intertidal sediment samples from Shilaoren Bay, Qingdao, China, were collected to determine the concentrations and compositions of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The sources of PAHs were analyzed, and risk assessment was performed. Results show that the pollution level of PAHs in the investigated area was low. The majority of PAHs are four-ring PAHs. The PAHs in this region were mainly derived from combustion sources, including the incomplete combustion of petroleum, coal, and biomass, such as vegetation, which were affected to some extent by petroleum sources. The highest concentration of PAHs in all sampling sites was lower than that of effects range low, and the mean effects range median quotient was low. Therefore, the PAHs in the study area did not have toxic and side effects on the ecological environment, and ecological risk was low.