Organic pollutants (PAHs, PCBs) in sediments from the Mar Piccolo in Taranto (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy)

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2007, Vol.55 (10), p.451-458
• Main Authors: Cardellicchio, Nicola, Buccolieri, Alessandro, Giandomenico, Santina, Lopez, Luigi, Pizzulli, Filomena, Spada, Lucia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Italy; Mar Piccolo; Marine and brackish environment; Mediterranean Sea; PAHs; PCBs; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Pollution, environment geology; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Risk Assessment; Sediments; Soil and sediments pollution; SQGs; Taranto; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.09.007

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 17 parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in surface sediments from nine stations in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). Total PAH concentrations ranged from 380 to 12,750 μg/kg d.w., while total PCB levels ranged from 2 to 1684 μg/kg d.w.; this values were higher than those found in others marine coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea. For PAHs, low molecular weight/high molecular weight, phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene ratio were used for discriminating between pyrolitic and petroleum origin. Results showed that PAHs were mainly of pyrolitic origin. PCB and PAH levels in sediments were compared with Sediments Quality Guidelines (ERM–ERL, TEL–PEL indexes) for evaluation probable toxic effects on marine organism. Finally, ERM and PEL quotients were used to evaluate the degree to which chemicals exceed guidelines. Results suggest an ecotoxicological risk for benthic organisms mainly in the first inlet, where high concentrations of PCBs were found in sediments influenced by harbour activities.