Abstract:Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantitatively determined by HPLC in several surface sediment samples collected in December 2012 from Xin’anjiang Reservoir. The results showed that 15 of the 16 US EPA priority controlled PAHs were detected. Total concentrations of PAHs in surface sediments of the studied reservoir ranged from 258 to 906ng/g dry weight (dw), with average 558ng/g dw, lower pollution level. The distribution of PAHs is found to be influenced by riverine discharge and point-source pollution. The PAHs in the sediments were dominated by high molecular weight PAHs. According to the ratio of feature components, the PAHs in surface sediment from the Xin’anjiang Reservoir originated largely from coal and biomass incomplete combustion in the surrounding areas and exhaustion of boats or cars. In addition, the ecological risk of surface sediment in Xin’anjiang Reservoir was assessed with the methods of sediment quality guidelines and sediment quality standards (SQSs), and the result indicated that there was no great biological impact associated with the PAHs in the surface sediment of Xin’anjiang Reservoir. However, the concentrations of some points have been exceeded the threshold effect level evaluated in accordance with SQSs. It is necessary to identify the contamination source and control the pollution input.