Distribution, sources, and transport characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from a typical shale gas site in Fuling, Chongqing, China

ZHOU Junpeng; QIN Chaojie; YANG Xiuwen; XIONG Junwu; ZHANG Chao; LIU Wei; QI Shihua; CHEN Wei

doi:10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20250398

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ZHOU Junpeng，QIN Chaojie，YANG Xiuwen，et al. Distribution, sources, and transport characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from a typical shale gas site in Fuling, Chongqing, China[J]. Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology，2026，45（6）：1-10 doi: 10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20250398

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Distribution, sources, and transport characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from a typical shale gas site in Fuling, Chongqing, China

doi: 10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20250398

ZHOU Junpeng^{1a, 1b
,},
QIN Chaojie^{1b, 2},
YANG Xiuwen^{1a, 1b},
XIONG Junwu^{1a, 1b},
ZHANG Chao^{1a, 1b},
LIU Wei^{1c, 2, 3},
QI Shihua^{1a, 1c, 3},
CHEN Wei^{1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 3, 4
,
,}

1a.
School of Environmental Studies
1b.
MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health
1c.
State Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430078, China
2.
Institute of Natural Resource Survey, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China
3.
Inner Mongolia Institute of Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Ordos Inner Mongolia 017010, China
4.
Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Eco-Environment Geology, Hubei Geological Bureau, Wuhan 430034, China

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Author Bio:
E-mail：1442119953@qq.com
Corresponding author: E-mail：wei.chen@cug.edu.cn
Received Date: 02 Sep 2025
Accepted Date: 22 Dec 2025
Rev Recd Date: 27 Nov 2025

Available Online: 22 Dec 2025

Abstract

Abstract

Objective
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be produced during the processes of shale gas exploitation, which may threaten both the environment and human health. The largest shale gas exploitation area in China is located in the Fuling karst region of Chongqing, and the produced PAHs may affect the karst groundwater system.
Methods
To explore the transport processes of PAHs in karst groundwater systems within shale gas exploitation areas, a typical exploitation site from the shale gas exploitation area in Fuling was selected as the study area. The concentrations, spatial distribution, and compositional characteristics of PAHs in soils, spring water, surface water, and corresponding sediments were analyzed. Additionally, their potential sources were identified.
Results
The results showed that the total concentrations of 16 priority PAHs (Σ₁₆PAHs) in the water, soils, and sediments ranged from 17.3 to 57.4 ng/L, from 16.1 to 162 ng/g, and from 35.3 to 962 ng/g, respectively. The concentration ranges of Σ₁₆PAHs in spring water from the southern tributary and western tributary of the Baishui River were 20.3-57.4 ng/L and 18.4-34.4 ng/L, respectively. The operation of the shale gas site may have increased the concentrations of PAHs in the spring water of the southern tributary, but the affected range was limited and the site did not have an obvious influence on the water further downstream in the Baishui River. Compositional analysis showed that low-molecular-weight PAHs (LMW-PAHs) accounted for 59%-82% of PAHs in water and 15%-42% of PAHs in sediments and soils. The source analysis results showed that the largest contributors to PAHs in the study area were petrogenic and petroleum combustion sources (37.3%), followed by coal and biomass combustion (31.9%), and traffic emission (30.8%). Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis revealed that spring water from the southern tributary (p < 0.01) and western tributary (p < 0.01) contributed 41.9% and 29.0%, respectively, of PAHs in the river water of the Baishui River. Soils (p < 0.01) contributed 38.9% of the PAHs in the sediments. These results indicated that PAHs could be transported further to downstream water under the influence of the groundwater system and could also be transported from recharge zone soils to spring sediments through surface or subsurface transport processes.
Conclusion
This study provides a system-scale characterization of PAH occurrence, source signatures, and multi-media transport processes in a karst aquifer system affected by shale gas exploitation. The findings advance understanding of contaminant migration in structurally complex karst aquifers and highlight the critical role of groundwater–surface water interactions in regulating downstream water quality. The results deliver a scientific basis for groundwater pollution prevention, risk management, and sustainable resource protection in shale gas-producing karst regions.
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
- shale gas exploitation,
- source analysis,
- transport characteristics,
- hydrogeological conditions

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Distribution, sources, and transport characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from a typical shale gas site in Fuling, Chongqing, China

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Distribution, sources, and transport characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from a typical shale gas site in Fuling, Chongqing, China

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