Multimedia distribution and health risk assessment of typical organic pollutants in a retired industrial park

• Published in: Frontiers of environmental science & engineering 2023-11, Vol.17 (11), p.142, Article 142
• Main Authors: Wu, Shijin, Xiang, Zijing, Lin, Daohui, Zhu, Lizhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthracene; Benzene; Dioctyl phthalate; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Ethyl benzene; Ethylbenzene; Fluoranthene; Groundwater; Groundwater pollution; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Hydrocarbons; Industrial areas; Industrial parks; Industrial plants; Industrial pollution; Interpolation; Multimedia; Organic compounds; Organic pollutants; Organic soils; Parks; Petroleum hydrocarbons; Pollutants; Research Article; Retired industrial park; Risk assessment; Soil pollution; Soils; Spatial correlation; Toluene; Toxicants; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Water analysis; Water sampling
• ISSN: 2095-2201; 2095-221X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11783-023-1742-9

● A fine portrayal of organic pollutants in a retired industrial park is provided. ● Key factors affecting the spatial distribution of organic pollutants are unrevaled. ● Risk classification, grading, and management are reached based on risk assessment. The overall cross-media risk evaluation of organic pollutants in retired industrial parks is insufficiently recognized. In this study, 11 semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and 27 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in 531 soil and groundwater samples taken from a retired industrial park by coast in Zhejiang Province, China. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzene, and ethylbenzene were identified as the critical pollutants in the soil, while TPHs, 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP), toluene, benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), and benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) were identified as critical pollutants in the groundwater for exceeding China national standards. The spatial correlation between the concentrations of organic pollutants in soil and groundwater was explored by employing the Geodetector model. Based on the results of spatial interpolation, high-risk hotspots regarding soil and groundwater pollution were identified. Moreover, the possible harm to human health of the critical pollutants were also under evaluation. Among various critical pollutants, benzene, ethylbenzene, and DEHP in soil, and 1,2-DCP in groundwater, were the main contributors to the overall health risk of multimedia pollution. This study developed a comprehensive approach to assess the risks posed by specific organic toxicants in various environmental media. The findings of this work can serve as a valuable reference for future management strategies in retired industrial parks.