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Unsubstituted and Methylated PAHs in Surface Sediment of Urban Rivers in the Red River Delta (Hanoi, Vietnam): Concentrations, Profiles, Sources, and Ecological Risk Assessment

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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 2600 (median 1000) 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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All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

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Funding

This study was financially supported by the Vietnam's National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) (Project No. 105.08-2018.317) and the Asia–Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) (Project CRRP2019-10MY-Le). The Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research (B)) (Project No. 18KK0300) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Project “On-site Education Program in Analytical Chemistry” (OEPAC) of The University of Tokyo and Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturer's Association (JAIMA) are also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, 790-8566, Japan

    Anh Quoc Hoang & Shin Takahashi

  2. University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Anh Quoc Hoang, Thi Anh Huong Nguyen, Huu Tuyen Le, Minh Tue Nguyen & Minh Binh Tu

  3. Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Natural Product Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Nhu Da Le, Thi Thu Ha Hoang & Thi Phuong Quynh Le

  4. Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Nhu Da Le & Thi Phuong Quynh Le

  5. Institute of Environmental Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Thi Thuy Duong

  6. Hanoi University of Industry, 298 Cau Dien, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Thi Mai Huong Pham

  7. Center of Research and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Tien Dat Nguyen

  8. Electric Power University, 235 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Thi Xuan Binh Phung

  9. National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1 Yersin, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Yen Thi Hong Nguyen

  10. Quang Binh University, 312 Ly Thuong Kiet, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh, 47000, Vietnam

    Thi Minh Loi Nguyen

  11. Institute for Technology of Radioactive and Rare Elements, 48 Lang Ha, Dong Da, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Vu Phong Phung

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  1. Anh Quoc Hoang
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  2. Shin Takahashi
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by all authors. The first draft of the manuscript was written by AQH and revised by TPQL. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Anh Quoc Hoang or Thi Phuong Quynh Le.

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Hoang, A.Q., Takahashi, S., Da Le, N. et al. Unsubstituted and Methylated PAHs in Surface Sediment of Urban Rivers in the Red River Delta (Hanoi, Vietnam): Concentrations, Profiles, Sources, and Ecological Risk Assessment. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 107, 475–486 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03174-y

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