Spatial-temporal distributions, sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water and suspended particular matter from the upper reach of Huaihe River, China

• Investigated the contamination levels and component feature of 15 PAHs in water and SPM.
• Researched the seasonal variations of PAHs in the water and SPM from the upper reach of Huaihe River for the first time.
• Determine possible sources of PAHs in the water and SPM.
• Analyzed the correlation of DOC and PAHs in water phase.
• Investigated the distributions of PAHs in situ water-SPM phase.

The spatial and temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water from the upper reach of Huaihe River were investigated. The water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples from 16 sites were collected during three sampling cruises. The concentrations of ΣPAHs ranged from 79.94 to 421.07 ng/L with the average values of 140.37 ng/L in water and from 10.87 to 201.42 ng/L with the average values of 61.23 ng/L in SPM. In comparison to survey during March 2007, alleviated PAHs pollution was ascribed to the adjustment of energy structure. LMW PAHs (2- and 3-ring) were abundant in water and SPM samples with high detection frequencies. Seasonal variations of PAHs indicated that high concentrations of PAHs were recorded in the dry period (67.47–560.16 ng/L) and low levels of PAHs were detected in the flood period (27.87–458.47 ng/L) in water, while the high concentration of PAHs in SPM ranged from 4.14 to 342.32 ng/L in the dry period and low concentration from 2.42 to 129.23 ng/L in the level period. In situ water-SPM phase distribution revealed that PAHs tended to be transported with water phase in the studied area. Ratios of specific PAHs were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAHs contamination, which reflected PAHs in water and SPM derived from the mixed of pyrogenic and petroleum origins in different seasons.