Source analysis and influencing factors of historical changes in PAHs in the sediment core of Fuxian Lake, China

In this study, the influencing factors and sources of historical changes in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediment core of Fuxian Lake were analyzed. Before 1970, the Σ₁₆PAH concentration fluctuated widely, with one or more maximum values. During 1971–2004, the Σ₁₆PAH concentration showed a slow growth trend, while during 2005–2017, the concentration increased sharply, reaching a peak value of 821 ng g⁻¹. dw in 2017. The results of a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model demonstrated that before 1970, PAHs were mainly derived from biomass burning in the Fuxian Lake sediment core, with an overall contribution of 40 %. During 1971–2004, the source of PAHs was mainly coal combustion, with an overall contribution of 34 %. During 2005–2017, PAHs primarily originated from traffic, with an overall contribution of 33 %. Population, coal, GDP, motor, and petroleum had a significant influence on low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs in 1980–2004 and 2005–2017. Motor, coal, population, and GDP had a greater impact on high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs. Before 1970 and in 1971–2004, meteorological factors had little effect on PAHs in the sediment core in Fuxian Lake. During 2005–2017, day and rainfall were significantly negatively correlated with HMW PAHs, while temperature and wind were not correlated with PAH concentrations. During 2005–2017, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) had greater adsorption effects on HMW PAHs than on LMW PAHs. Before 1970 and in 1971–2004, the adsorption effects of TOC and TN on 3–4-ring PAHs were greater than those of 2-ring and 5–6-ring PAHs. Total phosphorus (TP) had no adsorption effect on PAHs in the entire sedimentary column.