Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments and Mussels of the Western Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been investigated in superficial sediments and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) of the western Mediterranean sea (French Riviera, Corsica, Sardinia). The analyses were performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The PAH concentrations ranged from 1 to 20,500 ng/g in the sediments. Different molecular indices allowed differentiation between the different pollutant sources. On the French coast, PAHs originated mainly from incomplete combustion of organic matter (pyrolytic origin), whereas for some sites in Corsica and Sardinia an overimposition of petrogenic PAHs occurred. The mussel PAH concentrations ranged from 25 to 390 ng/g. The total and individual PAH bioaccumulation factors were calculated. The correlation between sediment and mussel PAH content was discussed in terms of bioavailability. It was possible to distinguish different absorption routes for the xenobiotics according to their physicochemical properties. Because the mussel distribution of phenanthrene and anthracene seems to be governed by their water solubility, these compounds were probably mainly absorbed as the water-dissolved form, whereas the heavier molecular weight PAHs (more than four aromatic rings), whose sediment and mussel concentrations are correlated with higher correlation coefficients than for phenanthrene and anthracene, were probably mainly absorbed as adsorbed on particles. Furthermore, a possible preferential biotransformation of benzo[a]pyrene over benzo[e]pyrene is discussed.

Butyltin and PAH Contamination of Mar del Plata Port (Argentina) Sediments and Their Influence on Adjacent Coastal Regions

“…Concentrations of PAHs within Mar del Plata port were significantly higher than those found by Albano et al (2013) in 2009 (R16PAHs: 25.2-684.7 ng g -1 ), which suggests either a recent increase in hydrocarbon contamination or some sediment spatial variability within the port. According to the classification adapted by Baumard et al (1998), MDPP sediments can be considered as moderate (S1) to very highly contaminated (other sediments), whereas beach sediments can be considered as low contaminated by PAHs. No significant correlation was found between sediment organic carbon and PAHs levels at any site (r 2 = 0.32; p [ 0.05).…”

“…Concentrations ranges of R16PAHs (USEPA) (ng g -1 dry weight) in sediments samples from the present and other studies Classification of contamination level followingBaumard et al (1998): low: 0-100; moderate: [100-1000; high: [1000-5000; very high: [5000…”

Dispersion of organic contaminants from wastewater treatment outfall in Masan Bay, Korea

“…The composition of petroleum hydrocarbons is very complex and is characterized by a high abundance of alkylated PAHs. Phenanthrene/anthracene (Ph/An) and fluoranthen/pyrene (Fl/Py) ratios are widely used diagnostics [24][25][26] . High-temperature processes such as combustion of organic matter generate PAHs characterized by a Ph/An ratio (⁄10) and Fl/Py ratio (¤1).…”

Occurrence and spatial distribution of organic contaminants in sediments from Chinhae Bay, Korea

“…Finally, some compounds may have a diagenetic origin 31 . Phenanthrene/anthracene (Ph/An) and fluoranthen/pyrene (Fl/Py) ratio are widely used diagnostics 35,36 . Hightemperature processes such as combustion of organic matter generate PAHs characterized by a Ph/An ratio (⁄10) and Fl/Py ratio (¤1).…”