Study on Characteristics and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAHs) in Sediments near the Warm Outlet of a Power Plant during Trial Operation

Seawater is often used as cooling water for coastal power plant,but the enrichment of plankton residue may lead to the increase of organic pollutants in local sea areas. In this study,the content and source of PAHs in sediments from the warm discharge outlet of a power plant in Zhanjiang Bay were monitored and evaluated at the initial stage of operation,so as to provide background data for examing the influence of the warm discharge of the power plant on organic pollutants in adjacent sea areas. The results showed that the total content of 15 PAHs ranged from 43. 18 ng/g to 133. 06 ng/g,with an average of 80. 53 ng/g,and Phe,Fla,Pyr and BbF were the dominated PAHs. The characteristic molecular ratios and principal component analysis showed that PAHs in sediments were mainly from combustion sources and petroleum sources. Sediment quality reference method(SQGS) showed that the ecological risk level of PAHs in the monitored Marine sediments was low.