Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and bed sediments of the Gomti River, India

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The spatial and temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated in Gomti River, a major tributary of the Ganga river (India). A total of 96 samples (water and sediments) were collected from eight different sites over a period of 2 years and analysed for 16 PAHs. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs in water and bed sediments ranged between 0.06 and 84.21 μg/L (average (n = 48), 10.33 ± 19.94 μg/L) and 5.24–3,722.87 ng/g dw [average (n = 48): 697.25 ± 1,005.23 ng/g dw], respectively. In water, two- and three-ring PAHs and, in sediments, the three- and four-ring PAHs were the dominant species. The ratios of anthracene (An)/An + phenenthrene and fluoranthene (Fla)/Fla + pyrene were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAHs. These ratios reflected a pattern of pyrolytic input as a major source of PAHs in the river. Principal component analysis, further, separated the PAHs sources in the river sediments, suggesting that both the pyrolytic and petrogenic sources are contributing to the PAHs burden. The threat to biota of the river due to PAHs contamination was assessed using effect range low and effect range median values, and the results suggested that sediment at some occasions may pose biological impairment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agarwal, T., Khillare, P. S., & Shridhar, V. (2006). PAHs contamination in bank sediment of the Yamuna river, Delhi, India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 123, 151–166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad, S., Ajmal, M., & Nomani, A. A. (1996). Organochlorines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments of Ganges river (India). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 57, 794–802.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ATSDR (1995). Toxicological profile for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bin, J., Hai-long, Z., Guo-qiang, H., Hui, D., Xin-gang, L. I., Hong-tu, S., et al. (2007). Characterization and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in sediments of Haihe River, Tianjin, China. Journal of Environmental Science, 19, 306–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BIS (1982). Indian standards: Tolerance limits for inland surface waters subject to pollution (2296–1982). New Delhi: IS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Zhu, L., & Zhou, R. (2007). Characterization and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in surface water and sediment from Qiantang River, China. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 141, 148–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickhut, R. M., Canuel, E. A., Gustafson, K. E., Liu, K., Arzayus, K. M., Walker, S. E., et al. (2000). Automotive sources of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with particulate matter in the Chesapeake Bay region. Environmental Science and Technology, 34, 4635–4640.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dodder, N. G., Strandberg, B., Augspurger, T., & Hites, R. A. (2003). Lipophilic organic compounds in lake sediment and American coot (Fulica americana) tissues, both affected and unaffected by avian vascular myelinopathy. Science of the Total Environment, 311, 81–89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doong, R., & Lin, Y. (2004). Characterization and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminations in surface sediment and water from Gao-ping River, Taiwan. Water Research, 38, 1733–1744.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes, M. B., Sicre, M. A., Boireau, A., & Tronczynski, J. (1997). Hydrocarbon (PAH) distributions in the Seine River and its estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 34, 857–867.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, P., Vilanova, R. M., & Grimalt, J. O. (1999). Sediment fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in European high altitude Mountain lakes. Environmental Science and Technology, 33, 3716–3722.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, M. P., Cass, G. R., Simoneit, B. R., & Rasmussen, R. A. (1998). Air quality model evaluation data for organics.5.C6-C22 nonpolar and semipolar aromatic compounds. Environmental Science and Technology, 32, 760–1770.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gigliotti, C. L., Brunciak, P. A., Dachs, J., Glenn, T. R. IV, Nelson, E. D., Totten, L. A., et al. (2002). Air–water exchange of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the New York–New Jersey, USA, harbor estuary. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 21, 235–244.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gschwend, P., & Hites, R. (1981). Fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to marine and lacustrine sediments in the north-eastern United States. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 45, 2359–2367.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R. M., Smith, D. J. T., & Luhana, L. (1996). Source apportionment of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons collected from an urban location in Birmingham, U.K. Environmental Science and Technology, 30, 825–832.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, K. F., Lee, S. C., & Chiu, G. M. Y. (2002). Characterization of selected volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbonyl compounds at a roadside monitoring station. Atmospheric Environment, 36, 57–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, J., Zhang, Z., & Yu, G. (2003). Occurrence of dissolved PAHs in Jinsha River (Panzhihua) – upper reaches of Yangtze River, Southwest China. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 5, 604–609.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (1987). Overall evaluation of carcinogenecity: An updating of IARC monographs. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risk to humans (Vol. 1–42). Supplement, France.

  • Kannan, G. K., & Kapoor, S. C. (2004). Analysis of particles size fraction (PM10 and PM2.5) and PAH of urban ambient air. DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Delhi 110054, India.

  • Khalili, N. R., Scheff, P. A., & Holsen, T. M. (1995). PAH source fingerprints for coke ovens, diesel and gasoline engines, highway tunnels, and wood combustion emissions. Atmospheric Environment, 29, 533–542.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khim, J. S., Kannan, K., Villeneuve, D. L., Koh, C. H., & Giesy, J. P. (1999). Characterization and distribution of trace organic contaminants in sediment from Masan Bay, Korea. 1. Instrumental analysis. Environmental Science and Technology, 33, 4199–4205.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laflamme, R. E., & Hites, R. A. (1978). The global distribution of PAHin recentsediments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 42, 289–303.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lake, J. L., Norwood, C., Dimock, C., & Bowen, R. (1979). Origins of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in estuarine sediments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 43, 1847–1854.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, R. K., & Baker, J. E. (2003). Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urban atmosphere: A comparison of three methods. Environmental Science and Technology, 37, 1873–1881.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. L., Prado, G. P., Howard, J. B., & Hates, R. A. (1977). Source identification of urban airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high resolution mass spectrometry. Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, 4, 182–186.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, C. K., & Kamens, R. M. P. (1993). The use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as source signatures in receptor modeling. Atmospheric Environment, 27A, 523–532.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Chen, L., Jianfu, Z., Qinghui, H., Zhiliang, Z., Hongwen, G. (2008). Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of rivers and an estuary in Shanghai, China. Environmental Pollution, 154, 298–305.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Long, E. R., MacDonald, D. D., Smith, S. L., & Calder, F. D. (1995). Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments. Environmental Management, 19, 81–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macias-Zamora, J. V., Mendoza-Vega, E., & Villaescusa-Celaya, J. A. (2002). PAHs composition of surface marine sediments: A comparison to potential local sources in Todos Santos Bay, BC, Mexico. Chemosphere, 46, 459–468.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mai, B., Fu, J., Sheng, G., Kang, Y., Lin, Z., Zhang, G., et al. (2002). Chlorinated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in riverine and estuarine sediments from Pearl River Delta, China. Environmental Pollution, 117, 457–474.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado, C., Bayona, J. M., & Bodineau, L. (1999). Sources, distribution, and water column processes of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the northwestern Black Sea water. Environmental Science and Technology, 33, 2693–2702.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malik, A., Ojha, P., & Singh, K. P. (2008). Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible fish from Gomti River, India. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 80, 134–138.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malik, A., Singh, K. P., Mohan, D., & Patel, D. K. (2004). Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Gomti river system, India. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 72, 1211–1218.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masih, A., & Taneja, A. (2006). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations and related carcinogenic potencies in soil at a semi-arid region of India. Chemosphere, 65, 449–456.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mastral, A. M., Callen, M., & Murillo, R. (1996). Assessment of PAH emissions as a function of coal combustion variables. Fuel, 75, 1533–1536.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKenize-Smith, K., Tiller, D., & Allen, D. (1994). Organochlorine pesticide residues in water and sediments from the Ovens and King rivers, north-east Victoria,Australia. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 26, 390–483.

    Google Scholar 

  • McVeety, B. D., & Hites, R. A. (1988). Atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to water surfaces: A mass balance approach. Atmospheric Environment, 22, 511–536.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitra, S., & Bianchi, T. S. (2003). A preliminary assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon distributions on the lower Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. Marine Chemistry, 82, 273–288.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naes, K., Oug, E., & Knutzen, J. (1998). Source and species-dependent accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in littoral indicator organisms from Norwegian smelter-affected marine waters. Marine Environmental Research, 45, 193–207.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NIST (1985). Certificate of Analysis. Standard Reference Material 1650. Diesel particulate matter, National Institute of Standards and Technology.

  • Prahl, F. G., Crecellus, E., & Carpenter, R. (1984). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in washigton coastal sediments: An evaluation of atmospheric and riverine routes of introduction. Environmental Science and Technology, 18, 687–693.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raiyani, C. V., & Shah, J. A. (1993). Levels of PAHs in ambient environment of Ahmedabad city. Indian Journal of Environmental Protection, 13, 206–215.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Readman, J. W., Mantoura, R. F. C., & Rhead, M. M. (1987). A record of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution obtained from accreting sediments of the Tamar estuary, UK: Evidence for nonequilibrium behaviour of PAH. Science of the Total Environment, 66, 73–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sahu, S. K., Pandit, G. G., & Sharma, S. (2001). Levels of PAHs in ambient air of Mumbai. In: Proceedings of 10th national symposium on environment, BAD, BARC, Mumbai, 4–6 June, pp. 279–281.

  • Schauer, J. J., Rogge, W. F., Hildemann, L. M., Mazurek, M. A., Cass, G. R., & Simoneit, B. R. (1996). Source apportionment of airborne particulate matter using organic compounds as tracers. Atmopheric Environment, 30, 3837–3855.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, M., Tibbetts, I. R., & Muller, J. F. (2004). Monitoring PAHs in the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay, Australia, using semipermeable membrane devices and EROD activity in yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis. Chemosphere, 56, 237–246.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi, Z., Tao, S., Pan, B., Fan, W., He, X. C., Zuo, Q., et al. (2005). Contamination of rivers in Tianjin, China by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Environmental Pollution, 134, 97–111.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simcik, M. F., Eisenreich, S. J., & Lioy, P. J. (1999). Source apportionment and source/sink relationships of PAHs in the coastal atmosphere of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Atmospheric Environment, 33, 5071–5079.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simo, R., Grimalt, J. O., & Albaijes, J. (1997). Loss of unburned-fuel hydrocarbons from combustion aerosols during atmospheric transport. Environmental Science and Technology, 31, 2697–2700.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simoneit, B. R. T. (1984). Organic matter of the trophosphere-III: Characterization and sources of petroleum and pyrogenic residues in aerosols over the western United States. Atmospheric Environment, 18, 51–67.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, C. D., Mosi, A. A., Cullen, W. R., & Reimer, K. J. (1996). Composition and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in surficial marine sediments from Kitimat Harbor, Canada[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 181, 265–278.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K. P., Malik, A., Mohan, D., & Sinha, S. (2004). Multivariate statistical techniques for the evaluation of spatial and temporal variations in water quality of Gomti River (India)—A case study. Water Research, 38, 3980–3992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, S., Basha, S., Joshi, H. V., & Ramachandraiah, G. (2005). Seasonal distribution and contamination levels of total PHCs, PAHs and heavy metals in coastal waters of the Alang-Sosiya ship scrapping yard, Gulf of Cambay, India. Chemos, 61, 1587–1593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabak, H. H., Lazorchak, J. M., Khodadoust, A. P., Antia, J. E., Bagchi, R., & Suidan, M. T. (2003). Studies on bioremeadiation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments: Bioavailability, biodegradability, and toxicity issues. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 22, 473–482.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tauler, R., Lacorte, S., Guillamon, M., Cespeded, R., Viana, P., & Barcelo, D. (2004). Chemometric modeling of main contamination sources in surface waters of Portugal. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 23, 565–575.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tolosa, J., Bayona, J. M., & Albaige’s, J. (1996). Alphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur/oxygen derivatives in northwestern Mediterranean sediments: Spatial and temporal variability, fluxes, and budgets. Environmental Science and Technology, 30, 2495–2503.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UN-ECE (1999). Strategies and Policies for Air Pollution Abatement, ECE/EB AIR/65. Major review prepared under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (p. 144). New York: United Nations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wakeham, S. G., Schaffner, C., & Giger, W. (1980). Polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons in recent lake-sediments. 1. Compounds having anthropogenic origins. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 44, 403–413.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walkely, A., & Black, I. A. (1934). An examination of the Degthreff method for determining organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science, 27, 29–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wania, F., & Mackay, D. (1996). Tracking the distribution of persistent organic pollutants. Environmental Science and Technology, 30, 390A–396A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. Z., Nie, Y. F., Luo, X. L. & Zeng, E. Y. (2008). Yellow River occurrence and phase distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in riverine runoff of the Pearl Delta, China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 57, 767–774.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, K. H., Desimone, F. W., Thiyagarajah, A., Hartley, W. R., & Hindrichs, A. E. (2003). Fish tissue quality in the lower Mississippi river and health risks from fish consumption. Science of the Total Environment, 302, 109–126.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yim, U. H., Hong, S. H., Shim, W. J., Oh, J. R., & Chang, M. (2005). Spatio-temporal distribution and characteristics of PAHs in sediments from Masan Bay, Korea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 50, 319–326.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yunker, M. B., Snoedon, L. R., Macdoland, R. W., Smith, J. N., Fowler, M. G., Malaughlin, F. A., et al. (1996). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition and potential sources for sediment samples from the Beaufort and Barents Seas. Environmental Science and Technology, 30, 1310–1320.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yunker, M. B., Macdonald, R. W., Vingarzan, R., Mitchell, R. H., Goyette, D., & Sylvestre, S. (2002). PAHs in the Fraser River basin: A critical appraisal of PAH ratios as indicators of PAH source and composition. Organic Geochemistry, 33, 489–515.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zakaria, M. P., Takada, H., Tsutsumi, S., Ohno, K., Yamada, J., Kouno, E., et al. (2002). Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in rivers and estuaries in Malaysia: A widespread input of petrogenic PAHs. Environmental Science and Technology, 36, 1907–1918.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zamora, M. J. V., Vega, M. V., & Celaya, J. A. V. (2002). PAHs composition of surface marine sediments: A comparison to potential local sources in Todos Santos Bay, B.C., Mexico. Chemosphere, 46, 459–469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. L., Tao, S., Liu, W. X., Yang, Y., Zuo, Q., & Liu, Z. S. (2005). Source diagnostics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons based on species ratios: a multimedia approach. Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 9109–9114.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), Post Box. 80, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226 001, India

    Amrita Malik, Priyanka Verma, Arun K. Singh & Kunwar P. Singh

Authors
  1. Amrita Malik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Priyanka Verma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Arun K. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kunwar P. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kunwar P. Singh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Malik, A., Verma, P., Singh, A.K. et al. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and bed sediments of the Gomti River, India. Environ Monit Assess 172, 529–545 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1352-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1352-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation