Distribution, origin, and potential toxicological significance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2011-01, Vol.63 (5-12), p.417-423
• Main Authors: Chen, Chiu-Wen, Chen, Chih-Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Coal; Combustion; Docks; Drying; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental Monitoring; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; guidelines; Harbors; harbors (waterways); Marine; Marine and brackish environment; petroleum; Polyallylamine hydrochloride; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - toxicity; sampling; Sea water ecosystems; Seawater - chemistry; Sediment; Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs); Sediments; Synecology; Taiwan; Toxic equivalent (TEQcarc); toxicity; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; water pollution; Water Pollution, Chemical - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.04.047

► Twelve harbor sediment samples were collected and analyzed for PAHs. ► Highest PAH concentrations were from the industrial zone docks. ► The possible source of PAHs in the industrial zone dock could be coal combustion. ► Higher total TEQcarc values were found at industrial zone docks. Sediment samples were collected from 12 locations of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Total PAH concentrations varied from 472 to 16,201ngg−1 dry weight. The highest PAH concentrations were from the industrial zone docks situated in south Kaohsiung Harbor. Diagnostic ratios showed that the possible source of PAHs in the industrial zone dock could be coal combustion while in the other zones it could be petroleum combustion. The toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQcarc) of PAHs varied from 55 to 1964ngTEQg−1 dry weight. Higher total TEQcarc values were found at industrial zone docks (from 1404 to 1964ngTEQg−1 dry weight). As compared with the US Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), the observed levels of PAHs at industrial zone docks exceeded the effects range low (ERL), and could thus cause acute biological damage. However, the lower levels of PAHs at the other zones would probably not exert adverse biological effects.