Abstract
This study examines the occurrence of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment samples collected from three areas (Saronikos Gulf, Piraeus harbor, Heraklion) across the Hellenic coastline, while PAHs distribution, sources and ecotoxicological risk are evaluated. According to the detected concentrations of PAHs, the most contaminated area was Piraeus (ΣPAHs: 125 to 2720 ng/g dw), followed by Saronikos Gulf (ΣPAHs: 21.4–1820 ng/g dw) and Heraklion (4.10–230 ng/g dw). Most sampling sites clearly show evidence for “combustion” in the source, whereas the data from Piraeus harbor indicate petroleum contamination as well. The calculated Toxic Equivalence Quotient (TEQ) and Mutagenic Equivalence Quotient (MEQ) values for Saronikos Gulf and Heraklion reveal low, or no, adverse health effects to exposed biota, while the pollution picture in Piraeus port indicates that BaP is the main contributor to carcinogenic and mutagenic risk. Risk assessment regarding dermal uptake of PAHs corroborated a negligible risk.
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