Effect-based Sediment Quality Guidelines Research Articles

Persistent organic pollutants in sediments of the Wouri Estuary Mangrove, Cameroon: Levels, patterns and ecotoxicological significance

The anthropogenic impact in the Wouri Estuary Mangrove located in the rapidly developing urban area of Douala, Cameroon, Africa, was studied. A set of 45 Persistent Organic Pollutant were analysed in surficial mangrove sediments at 21 stations. Chlorinated Pesticides (CLPs), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) have concentrations ranging from 2.2 – 27.4, and 83 – 544 ng/g, respectively. The most abundant CLPs were endosulfan, alachlor, heptachlor, lindane (γ-HCH) and DDT, which metabolites pattern revealed recent use. Selected PAHs diagnostic ratios show pyrolytic input predominantly. The sum of 7 carcinogenic PAHs (ΣC-PAHs) represented 30 to 50% of Total PAHs (TPAHs). According to effect-based sediment quality guidelines, the studied POPs levels imply low to moderate predictive biological toxicity. This study contributes to depict how far water resources are shifting within what is now termed the Anthropocene due to increasing local pressures in developing countries or African countries.

Comprehensive evaluation of metal pollution and ecological risk in settling material from differently impacted sites in the Río de la Plata basin

Metal speciation, geoaccumulation indices and sediment quality guidelines were used to evaluate the ecological risk of metals in settling material from the polluted metropolitan Buenos Aires coast in the Río de la Plata (RLP) compared to a more pristine northern site in the Uruguay River (UR). The content of organic carbon and trace metals (Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb and Ni) in RLP was 2-6 times higher reflecting the anthropogenic impact in the metropolitan coastal area. In contrast, Fe and Mn were 4-5 times lower, reflecting basically redox-driven evasion from polluted anoxic settling material. In addition, at RLP, trace metals were mainly found in the potentially bioavailable fractions (51-84%) compared to the prevailing, immobile residual fractionation at UR (63-86%), while Fe and Mn displayed a similar fractionation at both sites (Fe: 86-90% in the residual fraction; Mn: 71-82% in non-residual fractions). The geoaccumulation index relative to local background values (Igeo), the effects-based sediment quality guidelines (SQG) and the risk assessment code (RAC) from speciation data revealed some discrepancies in the risk evaluation. Although concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb in RLP were enriched compared to background concentrations (1 ≤ Igeo ≤ 2) and exceed SQGs for the protection of aquatic life, according to RAC, only Zn, Mn and, to a lesser extent, Ni presented probable risks for the aquatic environment.

Seasonal Distribution, Source Identification, and Toxicological Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments from Wadi El Bey Watershed in Tunisia.

Surface sediments were collected from the Watershed of Wadi El Bey in Tunisia to evaluate the degree of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination. Sediments were collected during different seasons in 14 sites that received wastes from domestic effluent, industrial discharge, and agricultural drainage wastes. Twenty-six individual PAHs were analyzed. The total PAH contents (Σ PAHs) in surface sediments showed wide variability, ranging from 6.89±0.05 to 340±0.1ngg-1. The 4-, 5-, and 6-ring compounds were the most abundant PAHs detected at the majority of sites. Diagnostic concentration ratios between pairs of PAHs and molecular indices, calculated with the purpose of drawing information about pollution sources, indicated that PAHs were of both petrogenic and pyrolytic origins. Toxic contaminants concentrations were determined according to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). PAH levels did not exceed the SQGs, indicating that PAHs seem to pose low and occasional toxicity risks. Total carcinogenicity and mutagenicity (TEQBaP and MEQBaP) ranged from 0.08 to 65ng and from 0.02 to 135.0ngg-1 of dry weight, respectively. Among the seven carcinogenic PAHs, BaP accounted for the majority of the potency and could potentially be used as a unique indicator of PAH toxicity. This study provides a baseline to promote environmental protection programs and pollution monitoring/control in Watershed and coastal areas.

Pollution-induced community tolerance in benthic macroinvertebrates of a mildly lead-contaminated lake

Pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) has been used to demonstrate effects of sediment contamination on microbes and meiofauna. Our study explored the potential to detect PICT in benthic macroinvertebrates of a lake with long-term mild lead (Pb) contamination. We collected macrobenthos from two areas in Caddo Lake, Texas, a control area (CO) with a mean sediment Pb level of 11μg/g and Goose Prairie (GP) where sediment Pb levels averaged 74μg/g. Upon return to the laboratory, we exposed macroinvertebrates to a lethal lead concentration and assessed 48-h mortality. Mortality of CO macrobenthos was significantly higher than that of GP macrobenthos, providing evidence that these communities differed in their tolerance to lead. A comparison of macrobenthos community composition between the areas showed that the GP macrobenthos lacked metal-sensitive taxa such as gastropods and amphipods (which were present at CO). Similarly, a higher proportion of the GP benthos belonged to metal-tolerant taxa such as isopods and chironomids. Thus, changes in community composition appeared to be at least partly responsible for differences in community tolerance. Our results showed that a sediment Pb concentration below effect-based sediment quality guidelines had a measurable impact on macrobenthos, thus demonstrating that results from single-species toxicity tests may underestimate impacts on communities. This study also confirms that the PICT approach with macroinvertebrates is a feasible and potentially powerful approach for detecting contaminant impacts.

Distribution, speciation, environmental risk, and source identification of heavy metals in surface sediments from the karst aquatic environment of the Lijiang River, Southwest China.

The distribution and speciation of several heavy metals, i.e., As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn, in surface sediments from the karst aquatic environment of the Lijiang River, Southwest China, were studied comparatively. The mean contents of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were 1.72, 38.07, 0.18, 51.54, and 142.16mg/kg, respectively, which were about 1.5-6 times higher than their corresponding regional sediment background values. Metal speciation obtained by the optimized BCR protocol highlighted the bioavailable threats of Cd, Cu, and Zn, which were highly associated with the exchangeable fraction (the labile phase). Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that in sediments, As and Cr were mainly derived from natural and industrial sources, whereas fertilizer application might lead to the elevated level of Cd. Besides, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were related to traffic activities. The effects-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) showed that Hg, Pb, and Zn could pose occasional adverse effects on sediment-dwelling organisms. However, based on the potential ecological risk assessment (PER) and risk assessment code (RAC), Cd was the most outstanding pollutant and posed the highest ecological hazard and bioavailable risk among the selected metals. Moreover, the metal partitioning between water and sediments was quantified through the calculation of the pseudo-partitioning coefficient (K P), and result implied that the sediments in this karst aquatic environment cannot be used as stable repositories for the metal pollutants.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments from the Bizerte Lagoon, Tunisia: levels, sources, and toxicological significance

To assess the status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in sediments from the Bizerte Lagoon (northern Tunisia), 18 surface sediment samples were collected in March 2011 and analyzed for 14 US Environmental Protection Agency priority PAHs by high-performance liquid chromatography. The total concentrations of the 14 PAHs (ΣPAHs) ranged from 16.9 to 394.1 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw) with a mean concentration of 85.5 ng g(-1) dw. Compared with other lagoons, coasts, and bays in the world, the concentrations of PAHs in surface sediments of the Bizerte Lagoon are low to moderate. The PAHs' composition pattern was dominated by the presence of four-ring PAHs (45.8 %) followed by five-ring (26.8 %) and three-ring PAHs (12.7 %). The PAH source analysis suggested that the main origin of PAHs in the sediments of the lagoon was mainly from pyrolytic sources. According to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines of the USA, the levels of PAHs in the Bizerte Lagoon should not exert adverse biological effects. The total benzo[a]pyrene toxicity equivalent values calculated for the samples varied from 3.1 to 53.7 ng g(-1) dw with an average of 10.6 ng g(-1) dw.

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in recent sediments of Sundarban mangrove wetland of India and Bangladesh: a comparative approach

The present work is the first attempt to compare the data of a comprehensive study of the origin and distribution of 16 priority pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments (<63 μm) from 18 sampling stations, 9 from Sundarban of Bangladesh and 9 from Indian counterpart. Σ19PAHs concentration in sediments showed wide variations from 208.3 to 12,993.1 ng g−1 dry weight in Indian Sundarban, whereas 208.4 to 4,687.9 ng g−1 in the case of Bangladesh. Fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene were predominant species for both the countries. The PAH diagnostic ratios indicated that the PAHs in sediments from both the countries were of mixed source of hydrocarbons of both petrogenic and pyrolytic origin. According to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines, the levels of PAHs in the Sundarban wetland of Bangladesh and India should not exert adverse biological effects. The TEQ values calculated for samples from the Bangladesh and Indian Sundarban varied from 13.68 to 1,014.75 and 1.31 to 2,451 ng g−1 d.w. with an average of 221.02 and 358.63 ng g−1, respectively. The overall contamination status of PAH was higher in India than Bangladesh.

PAHs in surface sediments from coastal and estuarine areas of the northern Bohai and Yellow Seas, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and their risks in surface sediments (n = 35) collected from coastal and estuarine areas of the northern Bohai and Yellow Seas, China, were investigated in 2008. Total concentrations of PAHs ranged from 52.3 to 1,870.6 ng/g dry weight. The greatest concentrations were observed in the Dou River of Tangshan where waste water from small factories is discharged into the river without treatment. At other locations, municipal sewage was the primary contributor of PAHs. Regional differences in concentrations of PAHs in sediments are related to human activities. Concentrations of PAHs were significantly correlated with concentrations of organic carbon in sediments. The patterns of relative concentrations and types of PAHs observed and knowledge of the potential sources, as well as the results of a principal component analysis, are consistent with the primary sources of PAHs in sediments of the northern Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea, being derived from the high-temperature pyrolytic processes such as combustion of fossil fuel. While concentrations of PAHs at most locations did not exceed the effects range median stated by the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines of the United States, concentrations of PAHs at some locations were similar to or greater than the effects range low.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine sediments of the Hellenic coastal zone, eastern Mediterranean: levels, sources and toxicological significance

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread in sediments, particularly near areas of intense human activities. Due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic behaviour, PAHs are classified as priority contaminants to be monitored in environmental quality control schemes. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of PAHs in major coastal areas of Greece that receive various pressures, investigate their sources and evaluate their potential toxicity by comparison against effects-based Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG). Forty-one sediment samples were collected from four areas of the Hellenic coastline. PAH concentrations were determined by GC–MS, after Soxhlet extraction and fractionation by silica column chromatography. Source apportionment was conducted by isomeric ratio diagnostic criteria. The mean quotient Effects Range—Median (m-ERM) was used to evaluate the potential of adverse effects posed to benthic organisms. The levels of PAHs were found to vary widely from 100 to more than 26,000 ng g−1. The highest levels were found in the close vicinity of an alumina production plant in the Gulf of Corinth. High levels of PAHs were also found at a few sites in each of the areas studied, close to a nickel production plant (North Evoikos Gulf), at the rainwater and wastewater outfalls of the great urban areas of Athens and Thessaloniki and at the industrialized area of Elefsis Bay (Saronikos Gulf). At the most contaminated sites PAH had a pyrolytic origin. Comparison of PAH levels to the SQG indicated that less than 15% of the sites studied have an intermediate probability (24–49%) of being toxic. In general, discrete point sources were identified as the major contributors of PAH contamination in the Hellenic coastal zone. Therefore, source control measures should be considered for protecting, or restoring, sediment quality, particularly in areas that support a diversity of anthropogenic activities (e.g. fishing, tourism, industry).

Spatial Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Lake Taihu, China

A total of 30 sediments, overlying water and porewater samples were collected from Lake Taihu, China for the analysis of PAHs. The total PAHs varied from 209 to 3,843 ng g⁻¹ in sediments, from 238 to 7,422 ng L⁻¹ in overlying water and from 2,012 to 19,899 ng L⁻¹ in porewater, respectively. There are good correlations between sediment-porewater/sediment-overlying water partition coefficients and PAHs' logKow values, with correlation coefficient of 0.94 and 0.95, respectively. The sediment PAHs in Lake Taihu originated from both pyrolytic and petrogenic sources, showing a mixed input pattern. Based on the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines of the United States, the sediments from Lake Taihu causing adverse effects by PAHs should have potential biological impact, but should have no impairment.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of the Jialu River

The Jialu River, an important branch of the Huaihe River in China, was seriously polluted because of rapid economic growth and urbanization. In order to evaluate the potential for serious environmental consequences as a result of anthropogenic contamination, the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been investigated in surface sediment samples collected in connection with field surveys of 19 sites along the Jialu River. The total concentration of the 16 USEPA priority PAHs ranged from 466.0 to 2605.6 ng/g dry weight with a mean concentration of 1363.2 ng/g. Sediment samples with the highest PAH concentrations were from the upper reaches of the river, where Zhengzhou City is located; the PAH levels in the middle and lower reaches were relatively low. According to the observed molecular indices, PAHs originated largely from the high-temperature pyrolytic process. According to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) of the United States, the levels of PAHs in the Jialu River should not exert adverse biological effects. The total benzo[a]pyrene toxicity equivalent (TEQ) values calculated for samples varied from 50.4 to 312.8 ng/g dry weight with an average of 167.4 ng/g. The relationships between PAHs and environmental factors, including chemical properties of sediments, water quality, aquatic organisms, hydrological conditions, and anthropogenic activities, are also discussed. PAHs exerted a potential negative impact on the benthos. Settlement percentage, population density and industrial GDP per capita had a significant influence on the distribution of PAHs.

Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment of the Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana: Part 1. Overview and Problem Formulation

A remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) of the Calcasieu Estuary cooperative site was initiated in 1998. This site, which is located in the southwestern portion of Louisiana in the vicinity of Lake Charles, includes the portion of the estuary from the saltwater barrier on the Calcasieu River to Moss Lake. As part of the RI/FS, a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) was conducted to assess the risks to aquatic organisms and aquatic-dependent wildlife exposed to environmental contaminants. The purpose of the BERA was to determine if adverse effects on ecological receptors are occurring in the estuary; to evaluate the nature, severity, and areal extent of any such effects; and to identify the substances that are causing or substantially contributing to effects on ecological receptors. This article describes the environmental setting and site history, identifies the chemicals of potential concern, presents the exposure scenarios and conceptual model for the site, and summarizes the assessment and measurement endpoints that were used in the investigation. Two additional articles in this series describe the results of an evaluation of effects-based sediment-quality guidelines as well as an assessment of risks to benthic invertebrates associated with exposure to contaminated sediment.

Environmental contamination associated with a marine landfill (‘seafill’) beside a coral reef

In Bermuda, bulk waste such as scrap metal, cars, etc., and blocks of cement-stabilized incinerator ash (produced from burning garbage) are disposed of in a foreshore reclamation site, i.e., a seafill. Chemical analyses show that seawater leaching out of the dump regularly exceeds water quality guidelines for Zn and Cu, and that the surrounding sediments are enriched in multiple contaminant classes (metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls and an organochlorine pesticide), i.e., there is a halo of contamination. When compared against biological effects-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), numerous sediment samples exceeded the low-range values (where biological effects become possible), and for Hg and Zn exceeded the mid-range value (where they become probable). A few metres away from the edge of the 25acre dump lies a small coral patch reef, proposed here as most contaminated coral reef in the world.

Sediment Contamination of Residential Streams in the Metropolitan Kansas City Area, USA: Part II. Whole-Sediment Toxicity to the Amphipod Hyalella azteca

This is the second part of a study that evaluates the influence of nonpoint sources on the sediment quality of five adjacent streams within the metropolitan Kansas City area, central United States. Physical, chemical, and toxicity data (Hyalella azteca 28-day whole-sediment toxicity test) for 29 samples collected in 2003 were used for this evaluation, and the potential causes for the toxic effects were explored. The sediments exhibited a low to moderate toxicity, with five samples identified as toxic to H. azteca. Metals did not likely cause the toxicity based on low concentrations of metals in the pore water and elevated concentrations of acid volatile sulfide in the sediments. Although individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) frequently exceeded effect-based sediment quality guidelines [probable effect concentrations (PECs)], only four of the samples had a PEC quotient (PEC-Q) for total PAHs over 1.0 and only one of these four samples was identified as toxic. For the mean PEC-Q for organochlorine compounds (chlordane, dieldrin, sum DDEs), 4 of the 12 samples with a mean PEC-Q above 1.0 were toxic and 4 of the 8 samples with a mean PEC-Q above 3.0 were toxic. Additionally, four of eight samples were toxic, with a mean PEC-Q above 1.0 based on metals, PAHs, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides. The increase in the incidence of toxicity with the increase in the mean PEC-Q based on organochlorine pesticides or based on metals, PAHs, PCBs, and organochlorine pesticides suggests that organochlorine pesticides might have contributed to the observed toxicity and that the use of a mean PEC-Q, rather than PEC-Qs for individual compounds, might be more informative in predicting toxic effects. Our study shows that stream sediments subject to predominant nonpoint sources contamination can be toxic and that many factors, including analysis of a full suite of PAHs and pesticides of both past and present urban applications and the origins of these organic compounds, are important to identify the causes of toxicity.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface sediments from Yellow River, China

Fourteen surface sediment samples were collected from Lanzhou Reach of Yellow River, China in July 2005. The concentrations of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by gas chromatography equipped with a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS). Total concentrations of the PAHs ranged from 464 to 2621 ng/g dry weight. Sediment samples with the highest PAH concentrations appeared at the downstream of Lanzhou City, where there was the biggest wastewater discharge pipeline from Lanzhou Oil Refinery Factory and Lanzhou Chemical Industry Company. Municipal sewage also contributed to the PAH contamination in the sediments. A correlation existed between the sediment organic carbon content (f(oc)) and the total PAH concentrations (r(2)=0.57), suggesting that sediment organic carbon content played an important role in controlling the PAHs levels in the sediments. According to the observed molecular indices, PAHs contamination in Lanzhou Reach of Yellow River originated both from the high-temperature pyrolytic processes and from the petrogenic source, showing a mixed PAH input pattern, which was also confirmed by the results of a principal component analysis (PCA). According to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) of the United States, the levels of PAHs at most studied sites in Lanzhou Reach of Yellow River should not exert adverse biological effects. Although at some sites (such as S10, S12, etc.) one PAH may exceed the effects range low (ERL), individual PAH did not exceed the effects range median (ERM). The results indicated that sediments in all sites should have potential biological impact, but should have no impairment.

Metallic and organic contaminants in sediments of Sydney Harbour, Australia and vicinity — A chemical dataset for evaluating sediment quality guidelines

An internally consistent dataset comprising 103 surficial estuarine sediment samples were collected from Sydney Harbour, Australia and locations south of Sydney. This paper describes the chemical characteristics of the dataset and evaluates its suitability for use in evaluating biological effects-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). The sediments contained mixtures of chemicals, the most prevalent chemical classes being metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, whereas sediments from coastal lakes/estuaries south of Sydney had low concentrations of contaminants. Maximum concentrations of the prevalent contaminants zinc, lead, copper and pyrene were 11300, 1420, 1060 mg kg−1 and 23300 μg kg−1, respectively. For the majority of samples, concentrations of individual chemicals exceeded most effects-based SQGs that have been adopted for use in Australia, implying occasional or frequent adverse biological effects are expected. Comparing mixtures of contaminants to ranges in numbers of SQGs exceeded and mean SQG quotients showed that most samples (57% to 68%) had contamination characteristics associated with moderate probabilities (30% to 52%) of acute toxicity, based on North American data. A smaller proportion of samples (15% to 17%) had contamination characteristics associated with high probabilities (74% to 85%) of toxicity. The wide range of chemicals and concentrations, associated with low, medium and high probabilities of toxicity, indicated that the dataset was suitable for future use in evaluating predictive abilities of SQGs. This is relevant, given the recent introduction of North American-derived SQGs for Australia.

Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Surface Sediments inside Songsanpo and Seogwipo Harbors of Jeju Island, Korea

The surface sediments inside Songsanpo and Seogwipo Harbors, major harbors of Jeju Island, were collected three times (June, September and December, 2001) and analyzed for 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) recommended by US-EPA as priority pollutants to assess their distribution levels and their biological effects on the marine organisms, and to suggest their possible origins. The concentrations of total PAHs inside Songsanpo and Seogwipo Harbors ranged from 41 to 288 ng/g on a dry weight basis with a mean value of 121 ng/g and from 14 to 268 ng/g with a mean value of 119 ng/g, respectively, and the levels were low as compared with those in other areas of the world. The sedimentary PAHs may be correlated with organic carbon and mud content to some extent. Based on comparisons of individual and total concentrations with effects-based sediment quality guidelines, the potential for the biological effects on the marine organisms were expected to be very low. From the examinations of the four PAH origin indices, such as LMW /HMW (low molecular weight 2-3 ring PAHs over high molecular weight 4-6 ring PAHs), phenanthrene/anthracene ratio, fluoranthene/pyrene ratio, chrysene/benzo[a]anthracene ratio, it can be concluded that the sediment PAH contaminations were ascribed to both of pyrolytic and petrogenic origins.

Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of Kaohsiung Harbour and adjacent coast, Taiwan

Surficial sediment samples collected from Kaohsiung Harbour and its nearby coast were analyzed for aliphatic hydrocarbons and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). According to our results, the average total concentrations of n-alkanes (n-C12 to C35) and aromatics (15 PAHs) were 4.33 microg g(-1) dry weight (ranged 0.46-22.60) and 0.59 microg g(-1) dry weight (ranged 0.09-1.75), respectively. The highest concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were recorded in stations near the estuaries of Qianzhen River and Love River, respectively. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in the samples indicate that there has been significant non-petrogenic, possibly terrestrial, contribution in the sediment of the open coast of Kaohsiung Harbour and that there has been dominant contribution from petrogenic sources in the sediment of the inner harbour. PAHs, detected in the samples, however, indicated a higher pyrolytic contribution in open-coast samples and a higher petrogenic contribution in the inner harbour. Overall, sediment concentrations of total alkanes in this study were comparable to those found in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong and are higher than those found in Xiamen Harbour, China. Concentrations of total PAHs in inner Kaohsiung Harbour sediments were relatively lower than those found in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong and Xiamen Harbour, China, but comparable to those found in Hsin-ta Harbour, Taiwan and Incheon Harbour, Korea. In comparison with several effect-based sediment quality guidelines, most PAH concentrations found in samples taken from inner harbour stations exceeded the Threshold Effect Level of Florida indicating a slight possibility of adverse effects.

The Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surficial Sediments of Sydney Harbour, Australia

Surface sediment was collected from 124 sites in Sydney Harbour and analysed for the 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed as priority pollutants by the US EPA, as well as 2-methylnaphthalene. PAH concentrations varied widely, from <100 to 380 000 μ g kg −1 of total PAH. The spatial distribution of PAHs suggested that they derive predominantly from urban run-off. However, discrete point sources of PAH appear to exist at several sites. The relative abundance of individual PAH compounds was remarkably consistent throughout the harbour and indicated that high temperature combustion processes are the predominant source of PAH contamination in Sydney Harbour. Comparison with numerical effects-based sediment quality guidelines derived in the US indicated that most of the sites studied in Sydney Harbour (89%) have levels of PAH which are predicted to either occasionally or frequently result in adverse biological effects.