Characterization and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes in sediments of Shadegan international wetland, the Persian Gulf

Bemanikharanagh, Akram; Bakhtiari, Alireza Riyahi; Mohammadi, Jahangard; Taghizadeh-Mehrjardi, Ruhollah

Characterization and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes in sediments of Shadegan international wetland, the Persian Gulf

2017

Bemanikharanagh, Akram | Bakhtiari, Alireza Riyahi | Mohammadi, Jahangard | Taghizadeh-Mehrjardi, Ruhollah

The distribution and sources of PAHs and n-alkanes were determined in the surface sediments from 202 locations in Shadegan international wetland with 537,700ha. The concentrations of total n-alkanes and PAHs ranged from 395.3 to 14933.46μgg−1dw and 593.74 to 53393.86ngg−1dw, respectively. Compared with other worldwide surveys, the concentration and contamination of sedimentary hydrocarbons were classified very high. A common petrogenic hydrocarbon source was strongly suggested in all sites by n-alkanes' profile with a Cmax at n-C20, Pr/Ph and CPI ratios<1 in all sites, and high percentage of UCM. Typical profile of petrogenic PAHs with alkyl-substituted naphthalenes and phenanthrenes predominance, various PAH ratios and multivariate analysis indicated that PAHs were mainly derived from petrogenic source. Naphthalene-derived compounds in all sites were significantly above their ERL, and adversely affected benthic biota. 92% of the sites had mean ERM values<0.1, indicating high ecological risk on the wildlife of the wetland.

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