Occurrence, health risk of PAHs and the interrelated microbial communities in ‌the sediment of Jinzhou Bay.

ABSTRACT: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of persistent organic pollutants prevalent in estuarine sediments, were systematically investigated for their spatial distribution, human health risks, and microbial community interactions across selected contamination gradients. Analytical results demonstrated ∑PAH concentrations in sediments ranging from 0.691 to 25.083 mg/kg dry weight, with benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalents (TEQBaP) exceeding international sediment quality guidelines (ISQGs) at 30% of sampling sites, primarily near anthropogenic emission hotspots. Lifetime carcinogenic risk assessments revealed maximum values of 2.41 × 10^-⁵ (children), 1.98 × 10^-⁵ (adolescents), and 3.04 × 10^-⁵ (adults), with wastewater discharge zones exhibiting both the

SUBMITTER: Lian M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12477186 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature