ESTIMATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS IN JIAOZHOU BAY, CHINA

In recent years, petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) have become one of the most important factors that affect the water quality of Jiaozhou Bay, which is mainly from land-based discharges and ship wastewater discharges. Based on the investigation of terrigenous pollution (rivers and sewage treatment plants) and seawater in August, October and November 2007, a transport, transformation and hydrodynamic model is constructed to estimate the marine environmental capacity of PHs in Jiaozhou Bay. According to the model, the environmental capacity of PHs in one year is approximately 1570 tons when the target of seawater quality criterion (Grade I/II, 50 mu g times L super(-1)) is set to be satisfied. Thus, our research provides necessary scientific foundation to the total amount control efforts in this area.