Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the Great Barrier Reef region, Australia

Abstract

At present the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from the Great Barrier Reef are remarkably low. The baseline levels range from <0.01 μg kg−1 dry wt. for benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene to <0.82 μg kg−1 for chrysene. Measurable levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have only been found in small areas close to sites frequently visited by power boats. Sediments from Townsville and Gladstone Harbours on the coast adjacent to the reef are polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to a similar degree to that reported for coastal sediments in similar locations in other parts of the world.