Abstract
The concentrations of 16 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) priority polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified in surface sediments from Hormozgan Province mangroves, south of Iran in dry and wet seasons. Sampling stations were selected in Laft and Khamir mangroves with international importance. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons varied from 75.24 ± 11.24 to 581.94 ± 637.39 ng/g dry weight basis. Pollution sources and their contribution for polyaromatic hydrocarbons pollution in sediments of Hormozgan mangroves were appointed based on molecular ratios and statistical methods, including principal components analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression/principal components analysis (PCA/MLR) tests. Both of pyrogenic and petrogenic sources contributed in detected concentrations of PAHs. Contribution percentages of pyrogenic and petrogenic origins were estimated at 73.20 and 26.79%, respectively. Temporal variations showed that sediments contained higher levels of ∑PAHs in wet season than dry time. However, the mean detected ∑PAHs was lower than international quality guidelines; the high concentration of PAHs was found in Laft mangrove, suggesting the presence of PAH polluted localized area.
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