Occurrence and Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water and Sediment Collected along the Harbour Line, Mumbai, India

Vinny R Peter,V Dhananjayan,S Muralidharan

doi:10.1155/2012/403615

Abstract

This study investigated the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediment samples collected along the harbour line, Mumbai, India. The ∑PAHs quantified in water and sediment samples were ranged from 8.66 ng/L to 46.74 ng/L and from 2608 ng/g to 134134 ng/g dry wt., respectively. Significantly high concentration of ∑PAHs was found in water samples of Sewri and sediment samples of Mahul (P<0.05). PAH concentrations detected in the present study were several folds higher than the existing sediment quality criteria suggested by various statutory agencies. The PAH composition patterns in water and sediments suggest the dominance of high molecular weight compounds and indicate important pyrolytic and petrogenic sources. The occurrence of PAHs in the marine environment has attracted the attention of the scientific community as these compounds are frequently detected in seawater and sediments at increasing levels and can have adverse health effects on marine organisms and humans. PAH concentrations detected at Sewri-Mahul site were sufficiently high to pose a risk to marine organisms if they are exposed continuously to this concentration. Hence, continuous monitoring of the ecosystem is highly warranted.

Highlights

All over the world over there have been imminent problems of pollution in many of the coastal regions resulting in significant damage to marine ecosystems
This paper presents results from analyses of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediment samples collected along the harbor line, Mumbai, India
Boats and ships transports in these regions were discharging black smokes throughout their movement, there are many nonpoint sources in the bay, contributing to the wide variations of PAH concentrations detected

Summary

Introduction

All over the world over there have been imminent problems of pollution in many of the coastal regions resulting in significant damage to marine ecosystems. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of over 100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil and gas, garbage, and other organic substances [1, 2]. These contaminants generate considerable interest because some of them are highly carcinogenic in laboratory animals and have been implicated in breast, lung, and colon cancers in humans [3,4,5]. Owing to their low aqueous solubility and strong hydrophobic nature, these contaminants tend to associate with particulate material in the aquatic environment, with the underlying sediments as their ultimate sink [8]

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