Abstract

Unsubstituted and methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (22 PAHs and 17 Me-PAHs) were examined in surface sediments collected from the Red River and four inner-city rivers of Hanoi City, Vietnam. Concentrations of total PAHs and Me-PAHs ranged from 52 to 920 (median 710) and from 70 to 2,600 (median 1,000) ng/g dry weight in samples of dry and wet seasons, respectively. Significant correlation was observed between total PAHs and organic carbon contents (Spearman’s ρ = 0.782; p < 0.05). PAHs were more abundant than Me-PAHs in all samples and dominated by 4–6 ring compounds. The most predominant PAHs were benzo[ghi]perylene, benzo[b/j]fluoranthene, chrysene, pyrene, fluoranthene, and phenanthrene. Methylated derivatives of naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and benz[a]anthracene were frequently detected. The patterns of PAHs indicated principal pyrogenic sources (notably gasoline exhaust) in this highly urbanized area. The occurrence of several PAHs were occasionally associated with adverse effects on benthic organisms of the inner-city rivers.

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Anh Quoc Hoang, Shin Takahashi, Nhu Da Le, Thi Thu Ha Hoang, Thi Thuy Duong, Thi Mai Huong Pham, Tien Dat Nguyen, Thi Xuan Binh Phung, Thi Anh Huong Nguyen, Huu Tuyen Le, Minh Tue Nguyen, Minh Binh Tu, Yen Thi Hong Nguyen, Thi Minh Loi Nguyen, Vu Phong Phung & Thi Phuong Quynh Le. (2021). Unsubstituted and methylated PAHs in surface sediment of urban rivers in the Red River delta (Hanoi, Vietnam): Concentrations, profiles, sources, and ecological risk assessment. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 107(3), 475–486. doi:10.1007/s00128-021-03174-y. (SCIE, IF = 1.657; p-ISSN 0007-4861 ; e-ISSN 1432-0800).