Enrichment behavior of contemporary PAHs and legacy PCBs at the sea-surface microlayer in harbor water

Occurrence and Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Marine Surface Microlayer of an Industrialized Coastal Area in the Eastern Mediterranean

“…The most abundant 3 and 4 ring PAHs in the filtrates were PHE (21%), FLA (15%), and FL (13%), while PHE (17%), FLA (11%), and PYR (11%) prevailed in the particulate matter, with PHE being detected in all samples. These results are in accordance with those of Huang et al, (2020) [46], who demonstrated the prevalence of PYR, PHE, and FLA in the dissolved phase of SML and that of PHE, PYR, BαA, and FLA in the particulate one. As expected, PAHs with 5 and 6 rings were detected at higher percentages in the suspended particulate matter (26 ± 19%) compared to the dissolved phase (15 ± 15%).…”

“…Comparing PAHs concentrations in the SML reported in literature for different geographical areas, a wide range of values was observed (Table 5). The ∑PAHs levels determined herewith in the SML demonstrate a moderate contamination of the area studied, with maximum concentrations being comparable to those previously reported for coastal areas such as the Alexandria coast, Egypt, by El Nemr and adb-Allah [23]; the Venice Lagoon, Italy, by Manodori et al [37]; Xiamen Island, China, by Ya et al [35]; and Kaohsiung Harbor and adjacent area, Taiwan, by Huang et al [46]. Interestingly, the minimum concentrations of ∑PAHs in SML measured in this study appear elevated compared to those of other areas, being characteristic of enclosed coastal areas affected by intense anthropogenic activities.…”

“…A gradual enrichment of the SML in PAHs in relation to the number of aromatic rings, mainly in the dissolved phase and to a lesser extent in the particulate one, is recorded at Loutropyrgos sampling site, however not at the area of Pahi of Megara. Similarly, Huang et al [46] have reported an increase in the average EFs of individual PAHs with the PAH molecular weight, which they assign to PAHs hydrophobic characteristics. The fact that no corresponding increase was reported in the EFs of high molecular weight PAHs at both study areas enhances the consideration that except for their hydrophobic characteristics, PAHs sources may also exert a considerable impact.…”

“…The ERM values were not exceeded, whereas total PAHs levels were lower than both ERL and ERM values reported. According to the recent study of Huang et al [46] referring to PAHs in the SML of harbor water in Taiwan, overall, the particulate phase of SML poses a higher risk to the marine ecosystem than that contained in the SSW. However, it is noteworthy that the SML constitutes a special habitat, comprising organisms which have developed specific adaptation mechanisms.…”

Method Development for Low-Concentration PAHs Analysis in Seawater to Evaluate the Impact of Ship Scrubber Washwater Effluents

“…High-ring PAHs are generally more hydrophobic, with a higher Kow value (log Kow = 6.13-6.91) and lower water solubility (<1 µg/L), so the dissolved phase concentration in water is extremely low. Some studies may fail to measure the concentration of some high-ring PAH due to the small sampling volume and low concentration factor, and ignore their influence [23][24][25]. However, the results of this study indicate that the potential pollution source and ecological impact of the dissolved phase high-ring PAHs in seawater require further attention.…”