Assessment of environmental risk related to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the sediments along the eastern Adriatic coast

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were investigated in the sediments at 24 locations in the coastal area of Adriatic Sea. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 14,98 to 26145,62 µg kg-1, with the highest levels determined in the sediments of Šibenik Bay and the lowest in the sediment near Island of Pag. Unsubstituted PAH were prevailing PAH group in the sediments from the Šibenik Bay and in the Coastal area, while methyl-substituted PAH were dominant group in the sediments of the Kaštela Bay. In order to estimate the possible toxicological significance of PAH concentrations, Sediment Quality Assessment was done according to three different sets of sediment quality guidelines. A high environmental risk was calculated for each station in Šibenik Bay; for the station in vicinity of the Industrial port of Split and for the two stations in Coastal zone. Low environmental risk was determined in less urbanised areas such as Island of Pag. Sediment extracts were further analysed for acute toxicity by measurements of decrease in bioluminescence upon exposure to sediment extracts. Obtained results show disagreement between sediment toxicity predicted upon PAH levels in sediment and experimentally obtained sediment toxicity. Sediment extracts in which low PAH levels were measured showed high acute toxicity indicating that concentrations of PAH alone are a poor indicator of sediment toxicity. Correlation analysis between concentrations of specific PAH compounds and toxicity revealed the strongest association between acute sediment toxicity and sulphur-containing PAH suggesting the S-PAH should be considered in sediment toxicity assessment.

Application of Positive Matrix Factorization for Source Apportionment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Adriatic Sea, and the Evaluation of PAH-Related Carcinogenic Risks

“…When all 16 PAH compounds were considered, TEQ values at most stations exceeded 600 µg kg −1 , indicating a high carcinogenic risk associated with sediment PAH concentration in Šibenik Bay. Results obtained by calculation of TEQ are in good agreement with the results of PAH-related sediment toxicity obtained by applying the sediment quality guidelines, where a high environmental risk was observed for the total area of Šibenik Bay [38]. However, in the same study, the results of the bioassay application indicated poor environmental status associated with the PAH sediment concentration at stations outside Šibenik Bay.…”

“…However, in the same study, the results of the bioassay application indicated poor environmental status associated with the PAH sediment concentration at stations outside Šibenik Bay. This suggests that assessing the toxicity of PAH solely on sediment concentration may significantly underestimate the environmental risk [38].…”

Comparison of Different Radiological Risk Assessment Scenarios at a Coal Ash and Slag Disposal Site

“…During the industrial operation, various types of coal were used, namely, lignite, anthracite, and brown coal, originating from mining sites with increased natural radioactivity [31]. Since the site was not subjected to any treatment for more than a decade, spontaneous revegetation occurred, currently consisting of different species of Mediterranean terrestrial flora, providing a research opportunity to conduct studies and assessments in specific environmental conditions [32,[34][35][36][37]. A previous study by Skoko et al [33] focused on the radioactivity of the soil in Kaštela Bay and provided data on background activity concentrations based on samples from a control site which was not affected by previous industrial activities.…”

“…Previous radiological studies conducted at the location include research of the chemical and radiological profile of the coal ash landfill [31], studies focused on research aspects of plant uptake of radionuclides from coal ash and slag [32], investigations of the radioactivity of the Mediterranean flora [33], a risk assessment of the legacy disposal site [34], research on natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the karstic coastal part of the location [35,36], and an assessment of the environmental risk related to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [37].…”