PAH, OCP and PCB in suspended particular matters (SPMs) in drinking water reservoir from the Taihu Lake basin

In May and September 2010, PAH, OCP and PCB concentrations in suspended particulate matters (SPMs) were determined in Taihu Lake basin, an important drinking water resource in Yangtz River Delta, China. The total concentrations of PAH, OCP and PCB in SPMs were 806.9~3815.3ng/g, 10.04~50.86ng/g and 2.20~5.06ng/g, respectively. The temporal distribution showed that concentrations of PAH, OCP and PCB in September were higher than those in May, respectively. In detail, PAH were predominated by HMW-PAHs. The composition characterization, particular ratios of PAH demonstrated that anthropogenic releases of oil products and incomplete combustion of fossil fuels were the main source of PAHs in SPMs, while smaller fraction came from incomplete combustion materials of biomass and coal input. In the present study, DDTs showed higher concentrations than HCHs. Distribution patterns of HCHs and DDTs indicated that DDTs in SPMs were mainly the history residues, however, new inputs of HCHs and Lindane still existed. The relevance ratio of Aroclor 1016 and Aroclor 1260 were the highest, which might be related to the PCB production and use history in China. Compared to other areas in the world, the concentrations of PAH, OCP and PCB in the study area were much lower and the ecological risk was relative low.