Occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Yellow River delta: Sources, ecological risks, and microbial response.

ABSTRACT

This research investigated the distribution, sources, and ecological risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), China, emphasizing the response of soil microorganisms. The study involved quantitative analyses of 16 PAHs specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in both water and soil, utilizing metagenomic technique to determine the response of microbial communities and metabolism within the soil. Results noted that PAHs in the water mainly originate from pyrogenic source and in the soil originate from mixture source, with higher concentrations found in wetland areas compared to river regions. The ecological risk assessment revealed low-to-moderate risk. Microbial analysis demonstrated increased diversity and abundance of bacteria associated with PAHs in areas with higher PAHs pollution. Metagenomic insights revealed significant effects of organic carbon on PAHs degradation genes (ko00624 and ko00626), as well as significant differences in specific metabolic pathways including phenanthrene degradation, with key enzymes showing significant differences between the two environments. The study underscores the importance of understanding PAHs distribution and microbial responses to effectively manage and mitigate pollution in estuarine environments.