Sediment contamination by PAHs in Northern Aegean Sea, Gokceada: Seasonal variations, source determination, and ecological risks

Abstract

In this study, concentrations of 16 PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) have been determined in surface sediments from Gokceada being the largest island of Turkey and located in the North Aegean Sea, during winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons in 2017. The main object of this study is to understand the levels, seasonal distribution, and the origins of PAHs in the sediments of Gokceada. During the sampling period, the total PAH (TPAH - sigma(16)PAH) values varied between 26 and 5408.7 ng/g dw. TPAH values in winter season have been found considerably higher due to residential heating. Besides, the origins of PAH pollution were investigated by using certain PAH ratios. The source of the pollution at all stations during the sampling period was found to be both petrogenic and pyrolytic origin so far as to the phenanthrene/anthracene (PHE/AN) and benzo(a)anthracene/chrysene (BaA/CHR) ratios.