Abstract: The compounds of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface soil of southern wetland in the Yellow River Delta were analyzed quantitatively. The total concentration of PAHs ranging from 70.58 to 1826.12 ng/g (dry weight) is in a level of low pollution. The spatial distribution of PAHs shows that in the south bank of the River, PAHs are a little higher than those in the North bank. The PAHs content distribution shows a linear relation with organic carbon (TOC) content. PAHs of oil source occupy a relatively great proportion in the sample, indicating that the pollution is mainly caused by petroleum. The risk assessment shows that this area is at a level of low ecological risk. There is no immediate damage to the living organisms for the time being.