Ecological risk assessment of sedimentary hydrocarbons in a subtropical estuary as tools to select priority areas for environmental management

The concentration, distribution, and ecological risk of hydrocarbons, as well as bulk parameters, were determined in surface sediments of the Babitonga Bay, a subtropical human-impacted estuary in South Atlantic. Total aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ranged between 0.8 and 201....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental management 2018-10, Vol.223, p.417-425
Main Authors: Dauner, Ana L.L., Dias, Thais H., Ishii, Fernanda K., Libardoni, Bruno G., Parizzi, Rafael A., Martins, César C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Combustion
Oil
PAHs
Sediments
South Atlantic
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Summary:The concentration, distribution, and ecological risk of hydrocarbons, as well as bulk parameters, were determined in surface sediments of the Babitonga Bay, a subtropical human-impacted estuary in South Atlantic. Total aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ranged between 0.8 and 201.2 μg g−1 and from 8.7 to 5489 ng g−1, respectively. Saguaçú Lagoon, the region near the ferry boat and the vicinity of São Francisco harbour (SFH), presented high hydrocarbon concentrations. Despite the low accumulation trend in this region, the SFH and city may act as a punctual hydrocarbon source. The inner portion of the estuary had the finest sediment grains and the highest concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur, indicating its importance as a depositional and cumulative area. The occurrence of unresolved complex mixture suggested chronic oil contamination. Petrogenic (based on the high percentage of alkylated PAHs) and pyrolytic (according to the diagnostic ratios of PAH isomer pairs) sources were confirmed. Ecological risk assessment was evaluated by the risk quotient (RQ). All samples had at least one priority PAH present at above the negligible concentration, including naphthalene, which was observed in all samples. Only the sites near the ferry boat and at the Saguaçú Lagoon contained compounds with concentrations above their maximum permissible concentrations, while all other sampling sites are classified as “Low-risk.” The spatial distribution of RQs coincides with PAHs distribution, indicating that the regions near SFH, ferry-boat, and the Saguaçú Lagoon should be considered to be priority areas when making environmental monitoring policies. •High hydrocarbon levels detected in a SW Atlantic subtropical human-impacted estuary.•Bulk parameters and hydrocarbon levels provide detailed environmental assessment.•Ecological risk assessment evidenced the contamination level of the estuary.•Biogenic hydrocarbons input can be determined using specific diagnostic ratios. Capsule:“Ecological risk assessment associated with hydrocarbons was evidenced in a subtropical estuary of the SW Atlantic”.
ISSN:0301-4797
1095-8630
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.024