Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the largest deepwater port of East China Sea: impact of port construction and operation

PAHs were analyzed for samples of seawater, sediment, and oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) collected from Yangshan Port, East China between 2012 and 2013. Concentrations of ∑PAHs in seawater (180–7,700 ng/L) and oyster (1,100–29,000 ng/g dry weight (dw)) fell at the higher end of the global concentration range, while sediment concentrations (120–780 ng/g dw) were generally comparable to or lower than those reported elsewhere. PAHs in the particulate phase accounted for 85 % (52–93 %) of the total PAHs in seawater. Congener profile analysis revealed that PAHs in waters originate mainly from petrogenic sources, while high-temperature combustion processes are the predominant sources for sediment. ∑PAHs in oyster well correlated with ∑PAHs in the particulate phase, suggesting particle ingestion as an important pathway for bioaccumulation of PAHs. Cancer risk assessment of PAHs in oyster indicated high human health risks posed by these chemicals to the coastal population consuming this seafood.