Contamination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Surface Water in the South of Henan Province

Objectives To investigate the contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface water in Xinyang, Zhoukou, Zhumadian District of Henan Province.

Methods A total of 16 kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples collected from 156 surface water sources of these regions in 2011 were determined according to the National Environmental Protection Standards "Water quality-determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography" (HJ 478-2009).

Results There was a PAHs contamination in the surface water in these regions.

Conclusion The water quality in the south of Henan was not optimal and a continued monitoring and control is needed.