Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Seawater Research Articles

Constructing perfluorinated UiO-67 for enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater and seabed sediments

To investigate the ocean contamination caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), UiO-67/perfluorooctanoic acid (UiO-67/PFOA) was synthesized through solvent-assisted ligand incorporation method. The UiO-67/PFOA was then served as an adsorbent in headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) technology for collecting and concentrating trace PAHs. The addition of the PFOA improved the hydrophobicity and stability of the UiO-67/PFOA coating, and the C-F functional group in UiO-67/PFOA could form the pseudo hydrogen bonding with the C-H on the benzene ring of PAHs, which endowed the UiO-67/PFOA with 1.60-4.63 times enrichment performance for PAHs than UiO-67. Under optimal conditions, the wide linear ranges of PAHs (0.01-20 ng·mL−1) with good coefficients of determination (R2 ≥ 0.9950) and low limits of detection (LODs, 0.003-0.008 ng·mL−1) were obtained. The recoveries of five PAHs from spiked seawater and seabed sediment by the developed method ranged from 81.14% to 116.0% with satisfactory results. This work provided a good adsorbent for the enrichment of trace PAHs in complicated environments and a new approach for the subsequent synthesis of adsorbents with good enrichment performance.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater after the mysterious oil spill of 2019 on the Pernambuco coast, northeast Brazil

In 2019, one of Brazil's most significant environmental disasters occurred, involving an oil spill that directly affected Pernambuco state. Contamination along the coast was evaluated by the quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fifty seawater samples collected in the summer and winter of 2021. Analysis using fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that for all the samples, levels of dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPHs) were higher than the regional baseline for tropical western shores of the Atlantic Ocean. GC–MS analyses quantified 17 PAHs in the samples, with highest total PAHs concentrations of 234 ng L−1 in summer and 33.3 ng L−1 in winter, which were consistent with the highest risks observed in ecotoxicity assays. The use of diagnostic ratios showed that the coast was impacted by a mixture of PAHs from petrogenic and pyrolytic sources. The results indicated the need for continuous monitoring of the regions affected by the 2019 spill.

Molecular level insight into the different interaction intensity between microplastics and aromatic hydrocarbon in pure water and seawater

The interaction of MPs and aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater and pure water was examined using experimental measurements, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations in light of the potential health risks posed by microplastic (MPs)-associated aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants. Isothermal studies and MD simulations suggested that MPs have a stronger affinity for aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater. To uncover the mechanism, MPs' surface characteristics and their intermolecular interactions with aromatic hydrocarbons were examined. According to the research, MPs in seawater have less compact structure, bigger pores, and a higher specific surface area, all of which contribute to more sorption sites. Analysis of the intermolecular interaction indicated that MPs have a greater ability for molecular interactions in seawater and the interaction energy between MPs and aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater is higher. Additionally, seawater cations may act as bridges, which also accelerate sorption in seawater. In summary, this study provides a molecular-level understanding of MPs-aromatic hydrocarbons interaction and demonstrates that the interaction is stronger in seawater.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater, surface sediment, and marine organisms of Haizhou Bay in Yellow Sea, China: Distribution, source apportionment, and health risk assessment

The pollution status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater, surface sediment, and marine organisms was investigated in Haizhou Bay, which is a traditional marine fish farming region in China. The total concentrations of PAHs in seawater, surface sediment, and marine organisms were 12.4–40.3 ng/L (average 24.8 ng/L), 183.2–496.6 ng/g (average 293.5 ng/g), and 228.1–679.9 ng/g (average 392.6 ng/g), respectively. Source analysis results showed that the PAH sources for seawater and marine organisms were coal and biomass combustion (66.53%), petroleum (28.94%), and traffic (4.52%), while those for the surface sediment were traffic (48.14%), coal and biomass combustion (40.56%). The lifetime cancer risk increment (ILCR) values of marine organisms in the Haizhou Bay were less than 10−6, indicating no carcinogenic risk. In the future, this study can be used as a reference to understand the distribution and interrelation of PAHs in other semi-enclosed bays in the world.

Spatial-temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater at West Nanao Bay, Noto Peninsula

Spatial-temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater at West Nanao Bay, Noto Peninsula

A turn-off luminescent europium probe for efficient and sensitive detection of some low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater

Eu(III)-(CCA)2 complex probe was applied for the direct detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs naphthalene, anthracene, acenaphthene or fluorene in seawater samples were collected from Suez Bay. The low limit of detection and the quantification limit were calculated for all compounds under study. The selectivity of the probe was characterized through studying the effect of some interfering ions. The results obtained from fluorimetric method using Eu(III)-(CCA)2 probe was validated through using gas chromatography and arecoverymethod. The developed Eu(III)-(CCA)2 probe has the ability for detecting PAHs in rapid and straightforward procedure even in presence of interfering metal ions. The data indicated that the Eu(III)-(CCA)2 probe is suitable for direct and efficient determination of PAHs compounds from seawater.

Development of a computational method to quantify the partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater into dissolved and droplet forms

The ecological risk and potential injury from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from spilled crude oil in water is dependent on whether they are dissolved or associated with droplets/particles. Using oil collected from the Deepwater Horizon incident, laboratory experiments were conducted to develop a computational method to determine the physical state of PAHs in sampled seawater and compare these to results from methods designed to physically separate dissolved and droplet oil used during the spill. The analytical results were used to develop a method to calculate droplet/particulate concentrations from unfractionated water samples based on oil composition and allocation of minimally soluble oil components to the droplet fraction. The computational method is less labor-intensive and costly than field fractionation and can be used to optimize the use of previously collected data. The results also showed that physical separation can result in insoluble high-molecular-weight PAHs being present in the filtrate (i.e., the “dissolved” fraction), potentially leading to an overestimate of dissolved components.

Temporal Variations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Seawater at Tsukumo Bay, Noto Peninsula, Japan, during 2014-2018.

Concentrations of phase-partitioning 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater were investigated in the Tsukumo Bay, Noto Peninsula, Japan, during 2014–2018, to improve the understanding of the environmental behavior of PAHs in the coastal areas of the Japan Sea. Total PAH (particulate plus dissolved) concentrations in surface seawater were in the range 0.24–2.20 ng L−1 (mean 0.89 ng L−1), an order of magnitude lower than the mean values observed in the Japan Sea in 2008 and 2010. Although the PAH contamination levels during 2014–2018 were significantly lower than those in the East China Sea, the levels increased from 2014 to 2017 and were maintained at the higher level during 2017–2018. The main sources of particulate and dissolved PAHs during 2014–2018 were combustion products, of which the former were more influenced by liquid fossil-fuel combustion and the latter by biomass or coal combustion. The increase in particulate PAH concentrations in October–December during 2014–2018 was due to the impact of PAH-rich airmasses transported from the East Asian landmass in the northwesterly winter monsoon winds. The increase in dissolved PAH levels during July–September in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018 indicates that the Tsukumo Bay is possibly impacted by the PAH-rich summer continental shelf water transported by the Coastal Branch of the Tsushima Warm Current, which flows into the Japan Sea from the East China Sea.

Biodegradation of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater by autochthonous microorganisms

The bioremediation of petroleum spills in marine environments is still a challenge nowadays, and the technology available towards this goal must be improved. The search for efficient and applicable systems requires the prospection, isolation and characterization of autochthonous microorganisms with potential for bioremediation. Here, microorganisms were isolated from “Lagoa do Peixe” National Park, a site with a history of frequent petroleum spills in Brazil. The isolation methodology was based on the enrichment of microorganisms able to biodegrade petroleum hydrocarbons. After preliminary tests of 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) redox indicator, two bacteria were able to produce biosurfactants and metabolize complex carbon sources in a solid medium: Bacillus methylotrophicus SSNPLPB5 and Pseudomonas sihuiensis SNPLPB7. Biodegradation assays using aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) sources showed that both bacteria are able to biodegrade: (i) up to 92.1% and 42.4% of the medium (C8 to C19) and long (C20 to C33) chain aliphatic contaminant fraction, respectively; (ii) 31.1% of isoprenoid (pristane) and (iii) 46% of anthracene, 33.9% of phenanthrene and 35.3% of pyrene, after 46 days of incubation in seawater. The isolates were shown to produce biosurfactants such as surfactins, iturins, mono- and di-rhamnolipids, which reduced the surface tension, pH and showed emulsifying activity of the cell-free supernatant at the end of the incubation time, with potential application in petroleum spills bioremediation.

Investigation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Seawater Collected From Lebanese Coast

Investigation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Seawater Collected From Lebanese Coast

Multivariate optimization of an extraction procedure based on magnetic molecular imprinted polymer for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sea water

The present work deals with the optimization of a magnetic solid phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from sea water, based on molecular imprinted microparticles, for subsequent GC–MS analysis. The extraction efficiency of the magnetic molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) was compared with that of the corresponding non-imprinted polymer; only small differences in the recovery of the extraction procedure were shown, but higher repeatability was observed using MIP. An experimental design (Plackett-Burman) allowed a fast optimization identifying the only significant factor influencing the extraction recovery, namely the ratio between the amount of microparticles and the sample volume. Two optimal ratios, based on the PAHs molecular weight, were selected for 20 mL of sea water samples: 5 mg or 20 mg of microparticles for compounds ranging from 128 to 228 and from 252 to 278 Da, respectively. The recoveries ranges were 76–104% for the low molecular weight PAHs and 95–101% for the high molecular weight PAHs. The analytical method showed satisfactory figures of merit, with detection limits ranging from 30 to 375 ng L−1 and relative standard deviations on replicate extractions from 3.7 to 12.2%. The developed method, which is fast, easy and requires very small volumes of organic solvent, was applied for the determination of PAHs in selected sea water samples.

Fate of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Seawater from the Western Pacific to the Southern Ocean (17.5°N to 69.2°S) and Their Inventories on the Antarctic Shelf.

Semivolatile organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have the potential to reach pristine environments through long-range transport. To investigate the long-range transport of the PAHs and their fate in Antarctic seawater, dissolved PAHs in the surface waters from the western Pacific to the Southern Ocean (17.5°N to 69.2°S), as well as down to 3500 m PAH profiles in Prydz Bay and the adjacent Southern Ocean, were observed during the 27th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition in 2010. The concentrations of Σ9PAH in the surface seawater ranged from not detected (ND) to 21 ng L(-1), with a mean of 4.3 ng L(-1); and three-ring PAHs were the most abundant compounds. Samples close to the Australian mainland displayed the highest levels across the cruise. PAHs originated mainly from pyrogenic sources, such as grass, wood, and coal combustion. Vertical profiles of PAHs in Prydz Bay showed a maximum at a depth of 50 m and less variance with depth. In general, we inferred that the water masses as well as the phytoplankton were possible influencing factors on PAH surface-enrichment depth-depletion distribution. Inventory estimation highlighted the contribution of intermediate and deep seawater on storing PAHs in seawater from Prydz Bay, and suggested that climate change rarely shows the rapid release of the PAHs currently stored in the major reservoirs (intermediate and deep seawater).

Simultaneous preconcentration and ultrasensitive on-site SERS detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater using hexanethiol-modified silver decorated graphene nanomaterials

A Ag/GN-SH based SPE-SERS technique can be used for on-site preconcentration and detection of six major PAHs in seawater.

Determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater using molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method of solid-phase extraction (SPE) using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as adsorbent coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed for the determination of 16 types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater samples. The MIPs were prepared through non-covalent polymerization by using the 16 PAHs mixture as a template based on sol–gel surface imprinting. Compared with the non-imprinted polymers (NIPs), the MIPs exhibited excellent affinity towards 16 PAHs with binding capacity of 111.0–195.0μgg−1, and imprinting factor of 1.50–3.12. The significant binding specificity towards PAHs even in the presence of environmental parameters such as dissolved organic matter and various metal ions, suggested that this new imprinting material was capable of removing 93.2% PAHs in natural seawater. High sensitivity was attained, with the low limits of detection for 16 PAHs in natural seawater ranging from 5.2–12.6ngL−1. The application of MIPs with high affinity and excellent stereo-selectivity toward PAHs in SPE might offer a more attractive alternative to conventional sorbents for extraction and abatement of PAH-contaminated seawater.

On-Line Concentration and Fluorescence Determination HPLC for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Seawater Samples and Its Application to Japan Sea

An on‑line concentration and fluorescence determination HPLC for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater was proposed. An online concentration column packed with octadecyl polyvinyl alcohol polymer, a pump and a column switching valve were introduced in the conventional HPLC with a fluorescence detector. Only 1.0-100 mL seawater sample was introduced into the concentration column at 1.0 mL min(-1) without any other pretreatment except filtration. Then the trapped PAHs totally flew into the separation column and eluted separately to be detected fluorogenically. The proposed method had good linearity with correlation coefficients (r) ranged from 0.951 to 0.998, and limits of detection ranged from 0.002 to 0.50 ng L(-1) for 15 PAHs as 100 mL seawater was loaded. The sensitivity of the method was 10 to 100 times higher than those reported by other works. The proposed method was applied to the determination of PAHs in the seawater samples collected in the Japan Sea with satisfactory results and to check the present benzo[a]pyrene concentration at the beaches in Noto peninsula, Japan polluted with C-heavy oil spilled from the tanker in 1997.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Seawater, Sediment, and Rock Oyster Saccostrea cucullata from the Northern Part of the Persian Gulf (Bushehr Province)

The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was determined in seawater, sediment, and Rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata collected from four sampling sites in the inter-tidal areas of Bushehr province. The total concentrations of 14 PAHs varied from 1.5 to 3.6 ng/L in seawater, 41.7 to 227.5 ng/g dry weight in surface sediment, and 126 to 226.1 ng/g dry weight in oyster tissue. In comparing PAH concentrations among the three matrices in Bushehr province, data showed that the pattern of individual PAHs in seawater, oyster, and sediment were different. The oysters tended to accumulate the lower molecular weight and the more water-soluble PAHs. Sediment samples were distinguished from the sea water and oyster samples by the presence of high molecular weight PAHs, especially six-ring PAHs. Three- and four-ring PAHs were the most abundant compounds among the 14 PAHs investigated in surface seawater, sediment, and oyster samples. As expected, differences in octanol/water partition coefficient among individual PAHs and the greater persistence of the higher molecular weight PAHs contributed to the accumulation patterns in oyster and sediment. The results of the study suggested that the main sources of PAHs in the seawater and sediment in the region were mixed pyrolitic and petrogenic inputs.

Ultrasound-Assisted Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Combined with Low Solvent Consumption for Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Seawater by GC–MS

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (USA-DLLME) with low solvent consumption was demonstrated for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) determination of 16 typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater samples. Factors affecting the extraction process, such as extraction and dispersive solvent, phase ratio, temperature, extraction and centrifugation time, were investigated thoroughly and optimized. The linear range was 20–2,000 ng L−1 except for acenaphthylene (Acy) at 10–2,000 ng L−1 and phenanthrene (Phe), fluoranthene (Flu) and pyrene (Py) all at 5–2,000 ng L−1. Enrichment factors (EFs) ranging from 722 to 8,133 were obtained, achieving limits of detection at 1.0–10.0 ng L−1. The method attained good precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) from 3.4 to 14.2% for spiked 50 ng L−1 individual PAHs standards. Method recoveries were in the range 87–124% and 70–127% for spiked samples from simulated seawater and beach seawater, respectively. The proposed USA-DLLME helped to obtain about 1.1–10 times higher EFs in a minimum amount of solvent and in less time than traditional DLLME.

Application of in-vial membrane assisted solvent extraction to the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A device for membrane assisted solvent extraction from an aqueous sample to an organic solvent within a micro-vial compatible with a chromatography auto-sampler was used to extract trace amounts of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from seawater. The device consisted in an assembly of a volumetric flask containing the sample and a micro-vial containing the organic solvent by means of a screw stopper in which the septum was replaced by a sized piece of a membrane. Extraction conditions (nature of the organic solvent, extraction time, presence of ethanol in the donor phase, ionic content of the donor phase, characteristics of the membrane and volumes of donor and acceptor phases) were studied in order to find the conditions for maximum extraction. Analytical performance characteristics have also been established. The extraction efficiency was between 12.5 and 23%, which implies an enrichment factor value above 40. The repeatability and reproducibility were in the range of 8.6–10.0% and 13–19%, respectively. Detection limits were in the range of 24–39 ng L −1. Nine seawater samples have been studied. Most of the concentrations were under the limits of detection. Naphthalene and phenanthrene contents have been determined in a sample using the method of standard additions, and concentrations 100 and 91 ng L −1, respectively.

Enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater with magnesium oxide microspheres as a solid-phase extraction sorbent

The enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water samples with magnesium oxide (MgO) microspheres was evaluated, and four 3–5-ring PAHs were used as probes to validate the adsorption capacity of the material. Factors affecting the recovery of PAHs were investigated in detail, including the type and concentration of organic modifiers, elution solvents, particle size of the adsorbent, volume and flow rate of the samples, and the lifetime of MgO cartridges. The recoveries of four PAHs extracted from 20 mL of seawater spiked with standard PAHs ranged from 85.8% to 102.0% under the optimised conditions. The limits of detection varied from 1.83 ng L −1 to 16.03 ng L −1, indicating that the analytical method was highly sensitive. Additionally, the proposed method was successfully used to enrich PAHs in seawater. Compared to conventional methods, the proposed method consumed less organic modifier (5% acetone), and cheaper sorbents with comparable extraction efficiency were employed.

Preparation of stir bars for sorptive extraction based on monolithic material

A stir bar for sorption extraction based on monolithic material (SBSEM) was prepared in this study. The monolithic material was obtained by in situ copolymerization of octyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate in the presence of a porogen solvent containing 1-propanol, 1,4-butanediol, and water with azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator. The influences of polymerization parameters and the thickness of monolithic materials on the adsorption and desorption efficiencies were investigated, using naphthalene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene as detected solutes. The results show that monolithic material possessed good permeability resulting in fast adsorption and desorption for detected solutes. Spiked seawater samples containing eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and urine samples containing four anabolic steroids were preliminarily analyzed by using the sorptive bars and liquid desorption followed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The results demonstrate that prepared stir bar was suitable for preconcentration of both apolar and polar analytes. The enrichment factors for phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene were 150, 134 and 189, respectively. The SBSEM shows good batch-to-batch reproducibility and good stability, and can be reused a least 10 times for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater.