A Survey of 42 Semi-Volatile Organic Contaminants in Groundwater along the Grand Canal from Hangzhou to Beijing, East China

Groundwater along the Grand Canal from Hangzhou to Beijing shows significant contamination by semi-volatile organic compounds, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being the most widespread. Among 42 contaminants analyzed, PAHs like phenanthrene and fluoranthene were detected at high concentrations, posing environmental risks in some samples. The study used concentration ratios to trace PAH sources, revealing mixed origins from pyrolytic and petrogenic processes with varying dominance across sites. While polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were also found, no organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) were detected.

Li, X., Rao, Z., Yang, Z., Guo, X., Huang, Y., Zhang, J., Guo, F., & Liu, C. (2015). A Survey of 42 Semi-Volatile Organic Contaminants in Groundwater along the Grand Canal from Hangzhou to Beijing, East China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(12), 16070–16081. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121215043