Status, Sources and Potential Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils from Hexi Corridor in Northwest China

The Hexi Corridor is the main commodity grain base in northwest China and plays a special role in ensuring food security in northwest China. However, the multiple pollution transport pathways of PAHs and complex and co-existing potential pollution sources around the study areas require a combination of pollution status, source identification, and risk assessment to explore pollution distribution and potential risks. In this study, the total PAHs concentration (∑₁₈PAHs) in soils ranged from 69.6 to 1300 ng/g. Spatially, the higher content of PAHs was detected in the Jinchang, followed by Jiayuguan, Jiuquan, Wuwei, and Zhangye, indicating a remarkable influence of different industrial activities. Although high-molecular-weight PAHs were predominated, the compositions of PAHs in most of the soil samples were varied. The isomer ratios of PAHs and principal component analysis were also revealed the PAHs probably originate from the sources different significantly. The total health risk values indicated a low health risk.