Distribution and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from Zhoushan Archipelago and Xiangshan Harbor, East China Sea

Zhoushan Archipelago and the adjacent Xiangshan Harbor are important commercial, tourism, fishing, and mariculture areas. Considering the concern on the effects of anthropogenic activities on the environment, the level and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments were investigated. The sum of 16 PAH (∑ 16 PAH) concentrations in the Zhoushan Archipelago ranged from 3.67 to 31.30 ng g− 1 d.w., with a mean of 15.01 ± 1.21 ng g− 1 d.w., and that in Xiangshan Harbor varied from 11.58 to 481.44 ng g− 1 d.w., with a mean of 62.52 ± 32.85 ng g− 1 d.w. Diagnostic ratios and factor analysis were performed to identify PAH sources. Results show that PAHs have mixed origins (i.e., traffic-related sources, coal combustion, petrogenic sources, and biomass burning), with pyrolytic-related pollution as the dominant source. This study provided a baseline to promote environmental protection and pollution episode monitoring in the East China Sea.