Occurrence and geographic distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in agricultural soils in eastern China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in agricultural soils, eastern China, were studied through a collection of surface samples at 109 sites. The study covered US EPA priority pollutants but also several non-priority isomers including some dibenzopyrenes which are expected to have higher toxic potentials. The total PAH concentrations varied extensively from 8.8 to 3880 μg/kg, with a geometric mean of 158 μg/kg. There were significant differences in both the concentrations and composition profiles between the south and the north regions. The overall geographical distribution pattern was strongly influenced by both the per capita gross domestic product and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. The former is an indicator of anthropogenic emissions while soil SOC content is associated with the accumulative capacities of the soils. The sequestration mechanism is an important process controlling fates of PAHs in agricultural soil.