Changes in the Non-targeted Metabolomic Profile of Three-year-old Toddlers with Elevated Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Objective To investigate changes in the urinary metabolite profiles of children exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)during critical brain development and explore their potential link with the intestinal microbiota.Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine ten hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs(OH-PAHs)in 36-month-old children.Subsequently,37 children were categorized into low-and high-exposure groups based on the sum of the ten OH-PAHs.Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify non-targeted metabolites in the urine samples.Furthermore,fecal flora abundance was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq.Results The concentrations of 21 metabolites were significantly higher in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group(variable importance for projection>1,P<0.05).Most of these metabolites were positively correlated with the hydroxyl metabolites of naphthalene,fluorine,and phenanthrene(r=0.336–0.531).The identified differential metabolites primarily belonged to pathways associated with inflammation or proinflammatory states,including amino acid,lipid,and nucleotide metabolism.Additionally,these distinct metabolites were significantly associated with specific intestinal flora abundances(r=0.34–0.55),which were mainly involved in neurodevelopment.Conclusion Higher PAH exposure in young children affected metabolic homeostasis,particularly that of certain gut microbiota-derived metabolites.Further investigation is needed to explore the potential influence of PAHs on the gut microbiota and their possible association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Eco-toxicity and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of Burullus Lake in Egypt

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)are ubiquitous environmental contaminants of growing concern due to their potential ecological and human health risks.This study presents a comprehensive assessment of PAHs contamination in the surface sediments of Burullus Lake,a vital and second largest delta lake in Egypt.The aim was to evaluate the eco-toxicity and potential health risks associated with the presence of these compounds.Surface seven sediment samples were collected from various drains in the southern part of Burullus Lake.Soxhlet extraction method was employed to extract PAHs(16PAHs)from the sediment sample.Analytically,target compounds were located using HPLC.The results showed that samples contained PAHs levels ranging from 0.038×10^(-6)to 0.459×10^(-6),which is considered heavily polluted by the European standard for PAHs pollution.Additionally,there was no apparent source of PAHs in the ElKhashah drain or the Brinbal Canal,as HPLC found none of the compounds.The most prevalent compound in sediment samples along the study area was fluoranthene.The diagnostic indices in the present study indicated that the hydrocarbons in the region originated from pyrolytic and man-made sources along the drains of Burullus Lake.The principal component analysis(PCA)and diagnostic ratios revealed that coal combustion and pyrolytic sources were responsible for the PAHs contamination in the surface sediments.The non-carcinogenic risk(HI),which is the product of the HQs for the adult and child populations,respectively,was calculated.HI values under 1,therefore,demonstrated that they had no carcinogenic effects on human health.TEQs and MEQs in the sediments of Burullus Lake do not have a cancer-causing impact on people.For the safety of nearby wildlife,aquatic life,and people,all activities that raise petroleum hydrocarbon levels in Burullus Lake must be adequately regulated and controlled.According to the ecological risk assessment,there is little chance that PAHs will be found in the sediments of Burullus Lake.This study underscores the urgent need for effective pollution control measures and regular monitoring of PAHs levels in Burullus Lake sediments to protect the aquatic ecosystem and public health.It also highlights the importance of considering eco-toxicity and human health risks in integrated risk assessments of PAHs-contaminated environments.

Study on Adsorption Removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Modified Mussel Shells

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)are typical persistent organic pollutants(POPs)that are commonly found in the environment.They are carcinogenic,teratogenic,mutagenic and biodegradable obviously.In this paper,the modified mussel shells were used to adsorb and remove anthracene.The results show that the adsorption removal rate of the mussel shells was higher after calcination at 600℃.5%H_(3)PO_(4) solution was more suitable for shell treatment than 3 mol/L ZnCl_(2) solution.As the dosage of the modified shells was 0.5 g/L,the adsorption reached a stable state,and the removal rate of PAHs was about 69.44%;the adsorption efficiency rose with the increase of time.It can be seen that as a new and cheap biological adsorbent,the modified shells can be used to remove PAHs from wastewater.

Coking and decoking chemistry for resource utilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)and low-carbon process

Low-carbon process for resource utilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)in zeolitecatalyzed processes,geared to carbon neutrality-a prominent trend throughout human activities,has been bottlenecked by the lack of a complete mechanistic understanding of coking and decoking chemistry,involving the speciation and molecular evolution of PAHs,the plethora of which causes catalyst deactivation and forces regeneration,rendering significant CO_(2) emission.Herein,by exploiting the high-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry(MALDI FT-ICR MS),we unveil the missing fingerprints of the mechanistic pathways for both formation and decomposition of cross-linked cage-passing PAHs for SAPO-34-catalyzed,industrially relevant methanol-to-olefins(MTO)as a model reaction.Notable is the molecule-resolved symmetrical signature:their speciation originates exclusively from the direct coupling of in-cage hydrocarbon pool(HCP)species,whereas water-promoted decomposition of cage-passing PAHs initiates with selective cracking of inter-cage local structures at 8-rings followed by deep aromatic steam reforming.Molecular deciphering the reversibly dynamic evolution trajectory(fate)of full-spectrum aromatic hydrocarbons and fulfilling the real-time quantitative carbon resource footprints advance the fundamental knowledge of deactivation and regeneration phenomena(decay and recovery motifs of autocatalysis)and disclose the underlying mechanisms of especially the chemistry of coking and decoking in zeolite catalysis.The positive yet divergent roles of water in these two processes are disentangled.These unprecedented insights ultimately lead us to a steam regeneration strategy with valuable CO and H_(2) as main products,negligible CO_(2) emission in steam reforming and full catalyst activity recovery,which further proves feasible in other important chemical processes,promising to be a sustainable and potent approach that contributes to carbon-neutral chemical industry.

2021年济南市大气PM_(2.5)中PAHs污染特征及其来源解析

目的分析济南市2021年细颗粒物(fine particulate matter,PM_(2.5))中PAHs污染特征及来源分析,为济南市大气环境综合治理提供相关数据支持。方法根据济南市区域分布特点选取2个有代表性监测点,每月的10—16日进行连续监测,使用超高效液相色谱仪对16种PAHs进行检测,分析济南市PM_(2.5)中PAHs变化趋势及特征,使用特征比值和PMF模型对PM_(2.5)中PAHs进行源解析。结果PAHs以4环和6环为主,具有显著的季节性变化趋势,即冬季>秋季>春季>夏季,1月份污染情况尤为突出;秋季和冬季中7种高致癌风险PAHs所占比例高于其他季节,历城区各季节PAHs质量浓度均高于市中区;结合特征比值和PMF对PAHs来源分析,冬季主要污染源是工业和石油产品挥发源、交通源;秋季主要为燃煤燃烧源、工业和石油产品挥发源和交通源。结论济南市PM_(2.5)中PAHs存在一定的污染,需加大清洁能源的使用,同时进一步加强秋、冬季,尤其是采暖季燃煤燃烧、工业和石油产品挥发和交通等污染源的控制。

重金属-PAHs污染土壤植物微生物修复效果及机理

针对焦化厂等土壤中铬(Cr)、砷(As)重(类)金属和菲(Phe)、苯并[a]芘(BaP)等多环芳烃(PAHs)风险高、绿色低碳修复技术缺乏等突出问题,以黑麦草-玉米-食醚红球菌(Rhodococcus aetherivorans,BW2)开展植物微生物联合。结果表明,63 d后植物微生物联合修复组土壤中Cr、As、Phe和BaP浓度分别下降9.63%、5.28%、45.14%和26.87%,其中重金属的去除主要依赖于植物作用,而PAHs去除则在很大程度上取决于微生物与植物的共同作用;植物主要吸收可提取态重金属,63 d后不同修复组土壤中可交换态Cr平均下降2.19%,而As则由于降解作用使修复过程中可交换态增加;可交换态Cr和碳酸盐结合态Cr与土壤中放线菌门呈强正相关,2种形态As则与拟杆菌门、装甲菌门、FBP菌门和浮霉菌门呈正相关。污染物去除效率间存在明显的相互作用,同时受酶活性和不同功能微生物丰度的动态影响,反之土壤微生物群落结构和功能也在土壤污染物种类、浓度及理化性质等综合作用下发生改变。

Transport and behavior of marine oil spill containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mesocosm experiments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)are one of the most important groups in oil,and re sponsible for major toxic and/or carcinogenic impact on humans and wildlife.It is important to understand the behavior of PAHs in marine environment after an oil-spill incident.However,interaction between petroleum PAHs and microbial communities in a marine environment remains unclear.Therefore,a series of mesocosm experiments were conducted.in which water-accommodated fraction(WAF)of oil was generated to simulate an oil-spill scenario and to analyze the transport and behavior of marine oil spill containing PAHs with and without dispersants.Results indicate that the application of dispersant could increase the concentration of total PAHs in water column due mainly to significant increase in the concentration of highmolecular weight(HMW)PAHs at a lower removal rate.At the end of the 7-day experiment,significant amount of HMW PAHs were accumulated in sediment.In general,the application of dispersant did not increase the sediment uptake of PAHs but increased the PAHs concentration in water column.

含过氧键化合物在土壤及地下水PAHs污染修复中的应用进展

土壤及地下水中多环芳烃(PAHs)污染的修复治理是当前亟需解决的问题,其中基于含过氧键化合物的高级氧化技术由于对土壤及地下水中PAHs具有高效的降解能力,在近年来受到越来越多的关注。本文重点总结了过氧化氢、过硫酸盐以及过氧乙酸在土壤及地下水中PAHs污染修复方面的研究,从过氧键断裂产生自由基的角度讨论了其活化机制与降解机理,探究了过氧乙酸在土壤及地下水中PAHs污染修复中的应用前景,分析了影响修复效率的主要外部因素。总体来看,不同活化方式所产生的自由基种类有所不同,对PAHs污染的修复效果也有所差异,与此同时,土壤及地下水复杂环境因素对修复效果有着重要的影响。因此在未来的研究中应开发新型活化材料,提高修复效果并降低二次污染,同时需针对不同的土壤及地下水环境选择合适的活化方式,采用表面活性剂增强氧化剂的修复范围,在过氧乙酸修复PAHs污染方面开展更深入的研究。含过氧键化合物修复PAHs污染土壤及地下水是一个值得深入研究的领域,未来具有广阔的应用前景,本综述为此提供了理论基础。

Preparation of aromatic hydrocarbons from catalytic pyrolysis of digestate

Catalytic pyrolysis of digestate to produce aromatic hydrocarbons can be combined with anaerobic fermentation to effectively transform and utilize all biomass components,which can achieve the meaningful purpose of transforming waste into high-value products.This study explored whether catalytic pyrolysis of digestate is feasible to prepare aromatic hydrocarbons by analyzing the thermogravimetric characteristics,pyrolysis characteristics,and catalytic pyrolysis characteristics of digestate.For digestate pyrolysis,an increase in temperature was found to elevate the CO,CH_4,and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(benzene,toluene,and xylene;BTX)content,whereas it decreased the contents of phenols,acids,aldehydes,and other oxygenates.Furthermore,the catalytic pyrolysis process effectively inhibited the acids,phenols,and furans in the liquid,whereas the yield of BTX increased from 25.45%to 45.99%,and the selectivity of xylene was also increased from 10.32%to 28.72%after adding ZSM-5.ZSM-5 also inhibited the production of nitrogenous compounds.

Inhibitory effect of coriander(Coriandrum sativum L.)extract marinades on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in roasted duck wings

Coriander(Coriandrum sativum L.)is recognized for its antioxidant property,as a kind of natural phenolic-rich ingredient.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)present a class of heat-driven hazards in foods,especially the processed meat.In this study,the effect of coriander root and leaf extract on the formation and inhibition of PAH8 in roasted duck wings was firstly investigated.Coriander root extract(CRE)and coriander leaf extract(CLE)with five concentration groups(200,400,600,800,1000 mg/L)were prepared respectively to marinate the duck wings.CRE marinade exhibited greater inhibitory effect on PAH8 formation in roasted duck wings that ranged from 65.0%-87.4%.The electron spin resonance study indicated a significantly positive correlation between PAH8 and free radical level,suggesting the participation of radicals in PAHs formation.Also,it was speculated that the inhibitory effect on PAH8 was related to the phenolic compounds identified in coriander marinades.CRE made greater inhibitory effect on the formation of PAH8 and could be considered as a kind of natural source to mitigate PAHs in heat-processed meat products.

Development of analytical methods for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in airborne particulates: A review

In the present work, the different sample collection, pretreatment and analytical methods for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） in airborne particulates is systematacially reviewed, and the applications of these pretreatment and analytical methods for PAHs are compared in detail. Some comments on the future expectation are also presented.

焦化厂污染土壤中18种PAHs分布特征及健康风险评估

为研究焦化厂土壤中多环芳烃(PAHs)的污染特征及其健康风险,以某焦化厂为目标,布设260个点位,根据各点位污染情况,采集不同深度的土壤样品共780件。通过分析样品中18种PAHs含量,探讨了不同判定标准下厂区土壤中PAHs总体污染程度以及不同功能区污染状况特征,同时根据HJ 25.3—2019《建设用地土壤污染风险评估技术导则》对厂区内18种PAHs进行健康风险评价。结果表明:(1)该焦化厂污染水平较高,且厂区污染在空间上表现出强烈非均质性。厂区内PAHs以2~3环为主,占比为58.82%,4~6环PAHs占比为41.48%。厂区内以苯并[a]芘为基准的6种主要风险PAHs的毒性当量浓度(TEQ Bap)分布特征与总PAHs(∑18 PAHs)含量分布具有一致性。(2)不同功能区表层土壤PAHs含量均值从高到低依次为污水处理区>化产区>焦炉区>锅炉发电厂>煤炭储存区>办公区。不同功能区低环与中高环PAHs含量比值不同,表明各区域污染物来源存在差异。(3)厂区内主要健康风险来源于化合物的致癌风险,不同功能区的致癌风险水平差异较大,污水处理区致癌风险超标倍数及超标率远超化产区及焦炉区。由于苯并[j]荧蒽的加入,PAHs总致癌风险增加0.93%~204.46%,厂区内总致癌风险超标点位增加5个。

Characterization of Hapten-Protein Conjugates for Immunoassay of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAHs)

Preparation and characterization of the hapten-protein conjugates are fundamental to developing environmental immunoassays. As a hapten, 1-pyrenebutyric acid（PBA） was conjugated to the carrier protein of bovine serum albumin（BSA） or ovalbumin（OVA） by active ester method. Infrared spectra（IR） showed that PBA-BSA and PBA-OVA conjugates were successfully prepared. The number of the haptens conjugated to the carrier protein was determined by ultraviolet spectra（UV） and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry（MALDI-TOF-MS）. The calculated average binding ratios of PBA/BSA and PBA/OVA were 18：1 and 10：1 by UV, and 31：1 and 22：1 by MALDI-TOF-MS, respectively. Although there was a discrepancy between the results determined by the two methods, both of them were useful for the characterization of the hapten-protein conjugates. The antibody was produced against the antigen of PBA-BSA, and the affinity was tested by the double agar diffusion method The conjugates and the antibody could be used for developing a sensitive and selective immunoassay of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons（PAHs）.

高岭土改性丝瓜络生物炭修复PAHs污染沉积物及微生物响应

采用高岭土改性生物炭或者使用三维立体,如丝瓜络生物炭(LSBC)修复PAHs污染沉积物,制备了三维立体LSBC(3D-LSBC)、改性三维立体LSBC(3D-K-LSBC)、颗粒LSBC(G-LSBC)和改性颗粒LSBC(G-K-LSBC)四种材料.结果表明:G-K-LSBC修复PAHs污染沉积物效果显著,沉积物PAHs去除率达21.76%,PAHs的修复效率提高了1个数量级.各组下层沉积物PAHs生物有效性明显高于上层沉积物(P<0.05);添加G-LSBC和G-K-LSBC有效降低了沉积物PAHs生物有效性,分别为对照组的43.99%~78.48%和39.08%~72.01%.经过150d修复,沉积物PAHs含量未出现明显垂向分布特征(P>0.05).然而,沉积物微生物群落组成发生了明显变化(P<0.05).在3D-K-LSBC和G-LSBC作用下,沉积物微生物物种丰富度和多样性明显提高;其中,在G-K-LSBC作用下,沉积物群落中具有芳香烃降解和芳香化合物降解功能菌属呈显著富集.G-K-LSBC表现出更高的PAHs污染沉积物修复潜力.此外,高岭土改性显著提高了LSBC材料的稳定性.

Fate of Parent and Substituted Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in SBR/MBBR Treatment Process:Experimental Value Against Model Prediction

The knowledge of the existence,distribution and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)and substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(SPAHs)in wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs)was vital for reducing their concentrations entering the aquatic environment.The concentrations of 13 SPAHs and 16 PAHs were all determined in a WWTP with styrene butadiene rubber(SBR)in partnership with the moving bed biofilm reactor(MBBR)process.SPAHs presented a higher concentration lever than PAHs in nearly all samples.The total removal efficiencies of PAHs and SPAHs ranged from 64.0%to 71.36%and 78.4%to 79.7%,respectively.The total yearly loads of PAHs(43.0 kg)and SPAHs(73.0 kg)were mainly reduced by the primary and SBR/MBBR biological treatment stages.The tertiary treatment stage had a minor contribution to target compounds removal.According to a synthesis and improvement fate model,we found that the dominant processes changed as the chemical octanol water partition coefficient(K_(ow))increased.But the seasonal variations of experimental removal efficiencies were more obvious than that of predicted data.In the primary sedimentation tank,dissolution in the aqueous phase and sorption to sludge/particulate matter were controlling processes for the removal of PAHs and SPAHs.The sorption to sludge and biodegradation were the principal removal mechanisms during the SBR/MBBR biological treatment process.The contribution of volatilization to removal was always insignificant.Furthermore,the basic physicochemical properties and operating parameters influenced the fate of PAHs and SPAHs in the WWTP.

Abundance and Source Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments of the Ivory Coastal Zone (Toukouzou Hozalem-Assinie)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are strongly associated with agricultural, residential, transportation, industrial and petroleum activities. In this study, the presence of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) was investigated in sediments of the ivory coastal zone (Toukouzou Hozalem-Assinie). The main objectives of this study were to determine the abundance and to predict the source of PAHs in the sediments. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze sixteen priority PAHs. Total PAHs concentrations were from 1.31 to 3992.68 mg/kg in sediment with an average concentration of (307.54 ± 16.10) mg/kg. Among all PAHs, Naphthalene (Nap = 332.72 mg/kg) and Phenanthrene (Phe = 41.75 mg/kg) were found in the highest concentration, whereas Benzo (k) Fluoranthene was found in the least concentration in the range of 0 - 0.85 mg/kg (mean 0.24 mg/kg). Bassam-Modeste Lagune (BML) sampling site was the site with the highest concentration of total PAHs (all 16 PAHs) compared to the others due to their location in a highly populated estuary area that receives commercial, tourism, port, petroleum and heavy industrial activities. Diagnostic ratios were used to determine the sources of PAHs and suggested that the PAH profile in the sediments was dominated by 2 and 3 ring PAHs. The patterns of PAH compounds in sediment indicated that contamination is from mixed sources, with a strong indication of petrogenic contamination potentially from spills of fuel, oil and industrial activities.

基于文献数据的PAHs生态安全土壤环境基准研究

多环芳烃(Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)具有致癌、致畸、致突变等“三致”效应,其造成的土壤污染问题受到世界各国的强烈关注。然而我国基于生态安全的土壤风险筛选值和管控标准仍未确立,致使当前土壤生态安全风险评估仍无据可依。通过系统调研国内外土壤中PAHs的生态毒性研究结果,针对16种优先控制PAHs,筛选获得248组毒性数据(Effect concentration10,EC10和No observed effect concentration,NOEC),并利用物种敏感性分布法推导出不同用地方式下各PAH的生态安全土壤环境基准。不同用地方式下各PAH的生态安全土壤环境基准分别为1.00~10.60 mg·kg^(–1)(自然保护地和农用地)、1.03~25.44 mg·kg^(–1)(公园用地)、1.12~51.00 mg·kg^(–1)(住宅用地)、1.20~68.41 mg·kg^(–1)(商服及工业用地)。该研究结果可为我国土壤生态安全环境质量标准的制定和PAHs污染土壤的生态风险评估提供数据支撑和方法指导。

市政污泥好氧堆肥过程中PAHs的去除

为探究市政污泥好氧堆肥过程中多环芳烃(PAHs)的去除动态,本研究以沈阳市市政污泥为研究对象,进行3个批次的好氧堆肥现场试验,分析了市政污泥中PAHs的污染特征、污染来源及堆肥过程中PAHs的去除动态。结果表明:不同季节沈阳市市政污泥中∑PAHs含量差异较大,范围为0.82~3.73 mg·kg^(-1),夏季污泥成分以高环PAHs(n≥4)为主(质量比为94.0%),而冬季和春季污泥以低环PAHs(n<4)为主,质量比分别为76.0%和63.0%。采用双比值法对沈阳市污泥中PAHs进行源解析,结果显示污泥中PAHs的主要来源为煤的燃烧源。经过堆肥处理后∑PAHs去除率大小顺序为春季(52.8%)>夏季(49.1%)>冬季(46.7%)。研究表明,好氧堆肥对PAHs有明显的降解效果,有利于实现污泥的无害化和资源化。

Survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)in arterial street air of Hangzhou

The presence of particulate and vapor PAHs, SO2 and NOx and other interrelated conditions (temperature, traffic intensity and wind velocity) were investigated in the arterial street air of Hangzhou. The concentration of the nine PAHs in the air was mean to 11.7 μg/m3, and the content of benzo(a) pyrene was up to 0.108 μg/m3. The contents of PAHs in the sampling sites were in good relation to the traffic intensity, and would be also affected by the terrain and meteorological conditions. The occurrences of PAHs in ambient air were mainly affected by their physical, chemical characters and temperature. The three- and four-ring PAHs (MW&le228) mainly existed in the vapor phase and the five-ring PAHs (MW > 228) existed predominately in the particulate phase. The fraction of vapor PAHs in the total nine PAHs was 84.2% in the air of the sampling sites. In the morning and evening, the concentrations of PAHs in the arterial street air were higher than that on the noon and the diurnal variation of PAHs was similar to that of the traffic gas NOx. A conclusion would be drawn that the major source of PAHs in the arterial street air was the traffic. And the results indicated that 75% of BaP would come from traffic source and remaining 25% of BaP would come from non-traffic source.

Source rock geochemistry of central and northwestern Niger Delta: Inference from aromatic hydrocarbons content

The influence of origin, depositional environment and thermal maturity of organic matter on the occurrence of aromatic hydrocarbons in source rocks from the central and northwestern Niger Delta was investigated. Eighty two source rock samples from four oil wells in the central and northwestern Niger Delta were analyzed for the aromatic hydrocarbon content using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of analysis of aromatic hydrocarbon fractions of the source rock extracts show the presence of many classes of aromatic hydrocarbons, which include naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, biphenyls, dibenzothiophenes and fluorenes. Trimethylnaphthalene (TMN) is the most abundant among the naphthalenes while dimethylphenanthrene (DMP) is the most abundant among the phenanthrenes. Among the biphenyls, 3-methylbiphenyl (3 MB) is the most abundant while 4-methyldibenzothiophene (4MDBT) is the most abundant among the dibenzothiphenes. Only two fluorenes were detected, and fluorene is more in abundance than 1-methylfluorene (1 MF). Depositional environment indicators of aromatic hydrocarbon organic matter reveal that the organic materials in the source rocks in these wells were deposited in marine-to-swamp depositional environments under reducing to suboxic conditions. Thermal maturity indicators calculated from the abundance of the aromatic hydrocarbons indicate that the source rock samples are thermally mature. Most of the source rocks are at the peak of oil window while a few at the early oil window. Source rocks from wells GB, OP and OT in the central Niger Delta are thermally more mature than those from well AW in the northwestern Niger Delta.