Sediment PAH: Contrasting levels in the Caspian Sea and Anzali Wetland
2014
Yancheshmeh, Rokhsareh Azimi | Bakhtiari, Alireza Riyahi | Mortazavi, Samar | Savabieasfahani, Mozhgan
A comparative study of 23 PAH congeners in sediment of the Caspian Sea coast and Anzali Wetland was conducted in 2010. Surface sediment was analyzed using chromatography and mass spectrometry. Total PAH concentrations ranged between 212 and 9009ngg−1dw. Spatial distribution maps revealed that PAH levels were higher in the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea where oil related activities have been common since 1800’s. Diagnostic ratios analysis indicated that PAHs largely originated from petrogenic processes. PAH toxicity level was assessed using sediment quality guidelines and toxic equivalent concentrations to determine toxic effects on marine organism. Based on these investigations, in our study areas, the probability of toxicity for benthic organisms is “low to medium”. The toxic equivalent concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs varied between 11 and 231ng TEQ/g; higher total toxic equivalent concentrations values were found in the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library
