Risk assessment and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in agricultural soils of Huanghuai plain, China

The profiles and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in 227 agricultural surface soils from the Huanghuai plain, China. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs varied from 15.7 to 1247.6 μg/kg, with an average of 129.5 μg/kg. Compared with pollution level and carcinogenic potential risk in other research, the soil PAH concentrations in this study fell within low to middle level. Unexpectedly, a significant correlation was not observed between the PAH concentration in soils and the corresponding content of the soil organic matter. This is partly interpreted for our sampling sites located in agricultural area where fresh input of organic fertilizers is expected. Principal component analysis-multiple linear regression suggests that low temperature combustion, coal combustion and traffic emissions could be the primary PAH contributors in soils from the Huanghuai plain, accounting for 46.7 percent, 42.1 percent and 11.2 percent of PAH concentrations, respectively.

► We examine the levels of PAHs in agricultural topsoil from the Huanghuai Plain.
► PAH pollution/potential risks are of low/middle level matched with other research.
► Low temperature combustion, coal combustion and traffic emissions contribute PAHs.
► Multivariate statistical methods are useful for studying the PAH sources.