Data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration in the Siberian Arctic seas sediments

Abstract

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the most dangerous persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic. They have different sources and pathways of entering in to the environment. Because of their lipophilic properties, PAHs can easily accumulate in marine sediments. This work gives a new data about concentration of PAHs in Siberian arctic seas. Sixteen priority PAHs as well as 1- and 2-methylnaphthalenes were analyzed by gas chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry in the twenty-four sediment samples taken from Kara, Laptev and East Siberian Seas in October 2020. The obtained sum concentrations ranged from 31 to 223 ng g–1 with the greatest contribution of phenanthrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, as well as naphthalene and its methyl derivatives while the greatest PAH levels were observed in Laptev Sea. The toxic equivalent in benzo[a]pyrene units was from 2.2–18.2 ng g–1.Total organic carbon (TOC) and black carbon (BC) content in arctic were in the ranges of 0.18–1.98 % and 0.03–0.40 %, respectively. The overall PAH level shows negligible harm to the environment.