Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The sedimentary record of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Yamzho Yumco Lake: evolution of local sources and adsorption dynamic in the Tibetan Plateau

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

With the rapid increase in anthropogenic activities, the local emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in background regions, such as the Tibetan Plateau (TP), have attracted great attention. The deposition of PAHs in lake sediments provides a historical evolutionary record of such compounds in these regions. To investigate the evolution of PAHs in the TP, two sedimentary cores from Yamzho Yumco Lake were collected and dated at high resolution, and the concentrations of 16 PAHs and sediment properties were also analyzed. The total concentrations of the 16 PAHs ranged from 6.52 to 57.97 ng/g (dry weight) in YC1 and from 0.91 to 4.57 ng/g (dry weight) in YC2. According to the methods of principal component analysis (PCA) followed by multilinear regression analysis (MLRA), four sources of PAHs in the sediments were qualitatively and quantitatively identified, such as petroleum combustion, petrogenic, coal combustion, and biomass burning. Thus, the historical evolution of PAHs was summarized. In addition, the transported distance from local PAH emission sources was found to greatly affect the composition and concentration of PAHs in sites YC1 and YC2. Specifically, local sources contributed a greater proportion of heavy molecular weight (HMW) PAHs in YC1 and a higher proportion of light-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs in YC2. Moreover, fine particles (size < 20 μm) were found to play a significant role in adsorbing PAHs in sediments. Furthermore, ∑16PAHs in sediments were linearly correlated with the percentage of fine particles (size < 20 μm). This study provides a first example to investigate the historical evolution of PAH local emission in background regions by using lake sedimentary records, especially in the TP. Specifically, different local sources were identified using the methods of PCA followed by MLRA, and PAHs in TP sediments were predominantly adsorbed by fine particles rather than by total organic carbon (TOC) because the amount of TOC was limited.

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.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arellano L, Fernández P, Tatosova J, Stuchlik E, Grimalt JO (2011) Long-range transported atmospheric pollutants in snow packs accumulated at different altitudes in the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia). Environ Sci Technol 45(21):9268–9275

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang KF, Fang GC, Chen JC, Wu YS (2006) Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Asia: a review from 1999 to 2004. Environ Pollut 142(3):388–396

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen XY, Yan JP, Kuang JJ (2010) Sedimentary characteristics and PAHs distribution in sediments from the rivers in north central part of Anhui. China Environ Sci Technol 33:120–124 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Li XH, Zhu TL, Han YJ, Lv D (2017) PM2.5-bound PAHs in three indoor and one outdoor air in Beijing: concentration, source and health risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 586:255–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiu HF, Tsai SS, Chen PS, Liao YH, Liou SH, Wu TN (2011) Traffic air pollution and risk of death from gastric cancer in Taiwan: petrol station density as an indicator of air pollutant exposure. J Toxicol Environ Health 74(18):1215–1224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman CL, Zhang Y, Noelle E, Selin NE (2014) Climate change and emissions impacts on atmospheric PAH transport to the Arctic. Environ Sci Technol 48(1):429–437

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gai N, Pan J, Tang H, Chen S, Chen DZ, Zhu XH, Lu GH, Yang YL (2014) Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in surface soils from Ruoergai high altitude prairie, east edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Sci Total Environ 478:90–97

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gouin T, Mackay D, Jones KC, Harner T, Meijer SN (2004) Evidence for the “grass hopper” effect and fractionation during long-range atmospheric transport of organic contaminants. Environ Pollut 128:139–148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo ZG, Lin T, Zhang G, Yang ZS, Fang M (2006) High-resolution depositional records of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the central continental shelf mud of the East China Sea. Environ Sci Technol 40(17):5304–5311

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han YM, Wei C, Bandowe BAM, Wilcke W, Cao JJ, Xu BQ, Gao SP, Tie XX, Li GH, Jin ZD, An ZS (2015) Elemental carbon and polycyclic aromatic compounds in a 150-year sediment core from Lake Qinghai, Tibetan Plateau, China: influence of regional and local sources and transport pathways. Environ Sci Technol 49(7):4176–4183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison RM, Smith DJT, Luhana L (1996) Source apportionment of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons collected from an urban location in Birmingham, UK. Environ Sci Technol 30(5):825–832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hites RA, Laflamme RE, Farrington JW (1977) Sedimentary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: the historical record. Science 19(4319)8:829-831

  • Hwang HM, Wade TL, Sericano JL (2003) Concentrations and source characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pine needles from Korea, Mexico, and United States. Atmos Environ 37(16):2259–2267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiao LP, Zheng GJ, Minh TB, Richardson B, Chen LQ, Zhang YH, Yeung LW, Lam JCW, Yang XL, Lam PKS, Wong MH (2009) Persistent toxic substances in remote lake and coastal sediments from Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic: levels, sources and fluxes. Environ Pollut 157(4):1342–1351

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jing L, Yang H, Xie B, Sun P, Zhou D, Song Y, Wang YH (2015) Distribution and source diagnosis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in agricultural soil at the shore of the Dianchi Lake. Environ Sci Technol 38:31–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Khairy MA, Luek JL, Dickhut R, Lohmann R (2016) Levels, sources and chemical fate of persistent organic pollutants in the atmosphere and snow along the western Antarctic Peninsula. Environ Pollut 216:304–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khalili NR, Scheff PA, Holsen TM (1995) PAH source fingerprints for coke ovens, diesel and gasoline engine highway tunnels and wood combustion emissions. Atmos Environ 29(4):533–542

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klanova JN, Matykiewiczova N, Macka Z, Prosek P, Laska K, Klan P (2008) Persistent organic pollutants in soils and sediments from James ROSS Island, Antarctica. Environ Pollut 152(2):416–423

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koblizkova M, Genualdi S, Lee SC, Harner T (2012) Application of sorbent impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disk passive air samplers for investigating organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers at the global scale. Environ Sci Technol 46(1):391–396

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuzyk ZZA, Macdonald RW, Johannessen SC, Stern GA (2010) Biogeochemical controls on PCB deposition in Hudson Bay. Environ Sci Technol 44(9):3280–3285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larsen RK, Baker JE (2003) Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urban atmosphere: a comparison of three methods. Environ Sci Technol 37(9):1873–1881

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Yuan GL, Li P, Sun Y, Yu HH, Wang GH (2017a) The emerging source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from mining in the Tibetan Plateau: distributions and contributions in background soils. Sci Total Environ 584-585:64–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Yuan GL, Wu MZ, Sun Y, Han P, Wang GH (2017b) Evidence for persistent organic pollutants released from melting glacier in the central Tibetan Plateau. China Environ Pollut 220:178–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Yuan GL, Duan XC, Sun YYHH, Wang GH (2018a) Organochlorine pesticides in the sedimentary core of the southern Tibetan Plateau: the missing pieces induced by lateral remobilization. Environ Pollut 233:340–347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Yuan GL, Li P, Duan XC, Yu HH, Qiu JL, Wang GH (2018b) Insight into the local source of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the developing Tibetan Plateau: the composition and transport around the Lhasa landfill. Environ Pollut 237:1–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Chen L, Huang Q, Li W, Tang Y, Zhao J (2009) Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments of the Huangpu River, Shanghai, China. Sci Total Environ 407(8):2931–2938

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu W, Li W, Hu J, Ling X, Xing B, Chen J, Tao S (2010) Sorption kinetic characteristics of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on natural soils. Environ Pollut 158(9):2815–2820

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Long ER, Macdonald DD, Smith SL, Calder FE (1995) Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments. Environ Manag 19(1):81–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mangano MC, Sara G, Corsolini S (2017) Monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in the Polar Regions: knowledge gaps & gluts through evidence mapping. Chemosphere 172:37–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naffrechoux E, Cottin N, Pignol C, Arnaud F, Jenny JP, Perga ME (2015) Historical profiles of PCB in dated sediment cores suggest recent lake contamination through the “halo effect”. Environ Sci Technol 49(3):1303–1310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nam K, Chung N, Alexander M (1998) Relationship between organic matter content of soil and the sequestration of phenanthrene. Environ Sci Technol 35:1103–1110

    Google Scholar 

  • Nam JJ, Gustafsson O, Kurt-Karakus P, Steinnes E, Jones KC (2008) Relationships between organic matter, black carbon and persistent organic pollutants in European background soil: implications for sources and environmental fate. Environ Pollut 156(3):809–817

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolaus EM, Law RJ, Wright SR, Lyons BP (2015) Spatial and temporal analysis of the risks posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, polychlorinated biphenyl and metal contaminants in sediments in UK estuaries and coastal waters. Mar Pollut Bull 95(1):469–479

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ravindra K, Sokhi R, Grieken RV (2008) Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: source attribution, emission factors and regulation. Atmos Environ 42(13):2895–2921

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steinhauer MS, Boehm PD (1992) The composition and distribution of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in nearshore sediments, river sediments, and coastal peat of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea: implications for detecting anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs. Mar Pollut Bull 33(4):223–253

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Y, Yuan GL, Li J, Tang J, Wang GH (2018) High-resolution sedimentary records of some organochlorine pesticides in Yamzho Yumco Lake of the Tibetan Plateau: concentration and composition. Sci Total Environ 615:469–475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talley JW, Ghosh U, Tucker SG, Furey JS, Luthy RG (2002) Particle-scale understanding of the bioavailability of PAHS in sediment. Environ Sci Technol 36(3):477–483

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tao YQ, Yao SC, Xue B, Deng JC, Wang XL, Feng MH, Hu WP (2010) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from drinking water sources of Taihu Lake, China: sources, partitioning and toxicological risk. J Environ Monit 12(12):2282–2289

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tao S, Wang W, Liu W, Zhou Q, Wang X, Wang R, Wang B, Shen G, Yang Y, He JS (2011) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in surface soils from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. J Environ Monit 13(1):175–181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vonderheide AP, Mueller KE, Meija J, Welsh GL (2008) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: causes for concern and knowledge gaps regarding environmental distribution, fate and toxicity. Sci Total Environ 400(1-3):425–436

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang SM, Dou HS (1998) China lake Records. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang XP, Yao TD, Gong ZY, Yang XL, Kang SC, Zhang Y (2007) Concentration level and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and grass around Mt Qomolangma, China. Chin Sci Bull 52(10):1405–1413

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XP, Xu B, Kang S, Cong Z, Yao T (2008) The historical residue trends of DDT, hexachlorocyclohexanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an ice core from Mt Everest, central Himalayas, China. Atmos Environ 42(27):6699–6709

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XP, Yang HD, Gong P, Zhao X, Wu GJ, Turner S, Yao TD (2010) One century sedimentary records of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mercury and trace elements in the Qinghai Lake, Tibetan Plateau. Environ Pollut 158(10):3065–3070

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XP, Sheng JJ, Gong P, Xue YG, Yao TD, Jones KC (2012) Persistent organic pollutants in the Tibetan surface soil: spatial distribution, air-soil exchange and implications for global cycling. Environ Pollut 170:145–151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang CF, Wang XP, Gong P, Yao TD (2014) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface soil across the Tibetan Plateau: spatial distribution, source and air-soil exchange. Environ Pollut 184:138–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wania F, Westgate JN (2008) On the mechanism of mountain cold-trapping of organic chemicals. Environ Sci Technol 42(24):9092–9098

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Yang L, Zheng X, Zhang SJ, Song SJ, Li JQ, Hao JM (2014) Characterization and source apportionment of particulate PAHs in the roadside environment in Beijing. Sci Total Environ 470-471:76–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang RQ, Xie T, Li A, Yang HD, Turner S, Wu GJ, Jing CY (2016) Sedimentary records of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in remote lakes across the Tibetan Plateau. Environ Pollut 214:1–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang RQ, Zhou RC, Xie T, Jing CY (2017) Historical record of anthropogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a lake sediment from the southern Tibetan Plateau. Environ Geochem Health 40(5):1899–1906

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye B, Zhang ZH, Mao T (2006) Pollution sources identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of soils in Tianjin area, China. Chemosphere 64(4):525–534

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu C, Zhang Y, Claus H, Zeng R, Zhang X, Wang J (2012) Ecological and environmental issues faced by a developing Tibet. Environ Sci Technol 46(4):1979–1980

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan GL, Liu C, Chen L, Yang ZF (2011) Inputting history of heavy metals into the inland lake recorded in sediment profiles: Poyang Lake in China. J Hazard Mater 185(1):336–345

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan GL, Han P, Xie W, Che XC, Wang GH (2012a) Altitudinal distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the soil along Central Tibetan Plateau, China. Sci Total Environ 433:44–49

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan GL, Xie W, Che XC, Han P, Liu C, Wang GH (2012b) The fractional patterns of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the soil of the central Tibetan Plateau, China: the influence of soil components. Environ Pollut 170:183–189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan GL, Qin JX, Lang XX, Li J, Wang GH (2014) Factors influencing the accumulation of organochlorine pesticides in the surface soil across the central Tibetan Plateau, China. Environ Sci Proc Impacts 16(5):1022–1028

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan GL, Wu LJ, Sun Y, Li J, Li JC, Wang GH (2015) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of the central Tibetan Plateau, China: distribution, sources, transport and contribution in global cycling. Environ Pollut 203:137–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan GL, Wu MZ, Sun Y, Li J, Li JC, Wang GH (2016) One century of air deposition of hydrocarbons recorded in travertine in North Tibetan Plateau, China: sources and evolution. Sci Total Environ 560-561:212–217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yunker MB, Macdonald RW, Vingarzan R, Mitchelld RH, Goyettee D, Sylvestrec S (2002) PAHs in the Fraser River basin: a critical appraisal of PAH ratios as indicators of PAH source and composition. Org Geochem 33(4):489–515

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Jiao LX, Qin YW, Cao W (2011) Sorption of phenanthrene on different particle size fractions of inter-tidal zone sediments from Bohai Bay. Environ Sci Technol 34(5):24-29

  • Zhang F, Cheng HR, Wang ZW, Lv XP, Zhu ZM, Zhang G, Wang XM (2014) Fine particles (PM2.5) at a CAWNET background site in Central China: chemical compositions, seasonal variations and regional pollution events. Atmos Environ 86:193–202

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank Dr. ZY Xie of HZG Centre for Materials and Coastal Research GmbH, Germany, and the members of the Rongmanan Geological Survey Project of CUGB for their help in collecting the samples.

Funding

This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41372249, 41872100) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2652018158, 2652018160).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Qi Wang, Jun Li, Xu-Chuan Duan, Guo-Li Yuan & An-Ting Wang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Jun Li & Guo-Li Yuan

  3. School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Bin Fang

Authors
  1. Qi Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jun Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xu-Chuan Duan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guo-Li Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bin Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. An-Ting Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guo-Li Yuan.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(PDF 1303 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, Q., Li, J., Duan, XC. et al. The sedimentary record of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Yamzho Yumco Lake: evolution of local sources and adsorption dynamic in the Tibetan Plateau. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 18674–18686 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05182-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05182-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation