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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
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
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.09.007