Concentrations Of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

A Mesocosm Assessment of the Effect of Bioturbation by the Ghost Shrimp (Lepidophthalmus louisianensis) on the Fate of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in the Intertidal Zone.

To fully assess the long-term impacts of oil spills like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident in the northern Gulf of Mexico, the potential for organisms other than microbes to affect the fate and distribution of the oil may have to be considered. This influence could be substantial for abundant bioturbating benthic animals like the ghost shrimp Lepidophthalmus louisianensis. An assessment of the influence of these ghost shrimp on petroleum hydrocarbons was conducted in laboratory micro- and mesocosms containing coastal Gulf of Mexico sediment, seawater, and oil or the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pyrene. In an experiment with pyrene added to the water column, the ghost shrimp presence lowered water-column pyrene concentrations. In an experiment with oil added to the sediment surface, the ghost shrimp presence decreased PAH concentrations in the sediment surface layer but increased these in the water column and subsurface sediment. A companion study and a mass-balance analysis indicated a net loss of PAHs through an enhancement of microbial degradation. In an experiment in which oil was added as a narrow subsurface layer in the sediment, the ghost shrimp presence appeared to broaden the oil's depth distribution. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ghost shrimp can significantly influence the biodegradation and distribution of spilled oil in coastal ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:637-647. © 2019 SETAC.

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Port Valdez Shrimp and Sediment.

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from oil were present in some shrimp from Port Valdez, site of a ballast water treatment facility at the Alyeska Alaska Marine Terminal (AMT). Low-level petrogenic PAH concentrations were generally restricted to shrimp eggs in the vicinity of the AMT and extended along the southern shore of Port Valdez to Anderson Bay. Eggs had greater lipid content than other tissues and thus were the most vulnerable biological compartment to hydrocarbon accumulation. Petrogenic hydrocarbons were not observed in shrimp muscle and cephalothoraxes; thus, these tissues do not pose a human health risk. Risk for children older than age 2 years and adults consuming eggs also was low except for two unusual samples (of 32), collected about 17 km west of the treatment facility. In general, PAH loads were consistent with local time series data in other species. We infer that the accumulation mechanism was dissolved uptake from water, consistent with passive sampler observations completed more than a decade earlier. Hydrocarbon levels in the majority of samples were below toxic thresholds. Total PAH accumulation was substantially greater in some pink shrimp than in other species, thus differences in habitat utilization (muddy vs. rocky substrate) are potentially important.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00244-016-0279-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Spilled Oils: Static Mixtures or Dynamic Weathering and Bioavailability?

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from sequestered MV Selendang Ayu oil were biologically available in 2008, 3.6 y after it was spilled along Unalaska Island, Alaska. Thermodynamically driven weathering was the most probable mechanism of organism exposure to PAHs. Alkane and PAH composition in oil changed over time as smaller constituents were preferentially lost, indicative of weathering. In contrast, composition of the largest compounds (biomarkers) including triterpanes, hopanes, and steranes remained unchanged. Smaller molecules (the PAHs) lost from stranded oil were observed in indigenous mussels and passive samplers deployed in July 2008. Concentration and composition of PAHs were significantly different than in a non-oiled reference area and patterns observed in mussels were repeated in passive samplers deployed in three zones (intertidal, subtidal, and water). Thus, hydrocarbons lost from one compartment (sequestered whole oil) were detectable in another (mussels and passive samplers) implying aqueous transfer. Quantities of mobile oil constituents were small, yielding uptake concentrations that are likely inconsequential for mussels, but the sensitivity provided by bioaccumulation and passive sampler uptake ensured that dissolved hydrocarbons were detectable.

Effects of Traditional Smoking Methods on the Concentrations of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Some Species of Smoked Fish Traded in Benue State, Nigeria

<p>The effects of three traditional smoking methods on the concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoked fishes were studied. Samples of five different species of fish highly traded for immediate consumption were purchased from fishermen and processed using saw dust smoke, firewood smoke and charcoal smoke respectively. Some of the fresh fishes were also sun-dried and analyzed as control. The PAHs content were extracted with standard dichloromethane using solid-liquid extraction, and analyzed using Gas chromatography – Mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS) method. The results showed that fish samples processed with saw dust smoke recorded the highest concentrations of total PAHs, ranging from 815.75 µg/kg to 1550.28 µg/kg, followed by firewood smoked samples with total PAHs content varying between 738.14 µg/kg to 994.09 µg/kg while charcoal smoked samples recorded the least total PAHs levels of 135.02 µg/kg to 614.42 µg/kg. Benzo(a)pyrene concentrations of 5.68 µg/kg and 5.44 µg/kg respectively were detected in the samples of <em>Arius heude loti </em>and Mud minnow processed using saw dust smoke. The Benzo(a)pyrene levels exceeded the EC regulatory limit of 5 µg/kg. Because benzo(a)pyrene has been associated with intense carcinogenicity in humans, its levels recorded in the smoked <em>Arius heude loti </em>and Mud minnow may have implication for the quality and safety of these fish products. Therefore, it is imperative that regulatory bodies conduct awareness campaigns to educate both the smoked fish processors, traders and consumers on the need to discourage the use of saw dust in smoking fish and adopt safer and improved methods of smoking fishes.</p>

Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Suspended Particulates from the Urban Atmosphere of Rijeka, Croatia

Besides earlier occasional campaigns, the systematic measurements of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in total suspended particulates (TSP) started only in 2001, while in 2006 the analyses were switched to PAHs in PM10. The annual concentrations of PAHs are following the general declining trend with other combustion pollutants as SO2. Although PM10 formed approximately 44% of TSP for the 2006 year and multi-year periods (2001–2005 and 2007–2010), the fraction of PAHs in PM10 /TSP ratio was in the range between 17% for Phe to 80% to BbF + BkF (66% for BaP). The winter to summer ratio (W/S) of individual PAH concentration is almost doubled in TSP (range: 5.2 for Phe to 21.2 for BaP) relative to PM10 (range: 2.7 for Phe to 13.5 for BaP). PAHs profiles indicate diesel vehicles as principal sources of PAHs, with the occasional contribution of metal smelters and wood combustion in winter.

Source term modeling for evaluating the potential impacts to groundwater of fluids escaping from a depleted oil reservoir used for carbon sequestration

In recent years depleted oil reservoirs have received special interest as carbon storage reservoirs because of their potential to offset costs through collaboration with enhanced oil recovery projects. Modeling is currently being conducted to evaluate potential risks to groundwater associated with leakage of fluids from depleted oil reservoirs used for storage of CO2. Modeling results reported here focused on understanding how toxic organic compounds found in oil will distribute between the various phases (oil, vapor, and brine) within a storage reservoir after introduction of CO2, understanding the migration potential of these compounds, and assessing potential groundwater impacts should leakage occur. Three model scenarios were conducted to evaluate how organic components in oil will distribute among the phases of interest (oil, CO2, and brine). The three cases were 50wt.% oil and 50wt.% water, 90wt.% CO2 and 10wt.% oil, and 90wt.% CO2, 5wt.% oil, and 5% wt.% water. Several key organic compounds were considered in this study based upon their occurrence in oil at significant concentrations, relative toxicity, or because they can serve as surrogate compounds for other more highly toxic compounds for which required input data are not available. The organic contaminants of interest (COI) selected for this study were benzene, toluene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, and anthracene.Partitioning of organic compounds between crude oil and supercritical CO2 was modeled using the Peng–Robinson equation of state over temperature and pressure conditions that represent the entire subsurface system of the scenario under investigation (from those relevant to deep geologic carbon storage environments to near surface conditions). Results indicate that for the modeled oil reservoir conditions (75°C, and 21,520kPa) negligible amounts of the COI dissolve into the aqueous phase. When CO2 is introduced into the reservoir such that the final composition of the reservoir is 90wt.% CO2 and 10wt.% oil, a significant fraction of the oil dissolves into the vapor phase. As the vapor phase moves up through the stratigraphic column, pressures and temperatures decrease, resulting in significant condensation of oil components. The heaviest organic components condense early in this process (at higher pressures and temperatures), while the lighter components tend to remain in the vapor phase until much lower pressures and temperatures are reached. Based on the model assumptions, the final concentrations of COI to reach an aquifer at 1520kPa and 25°C were quite significant for benzene and toluene, whereas the concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons that reach the aquifer were very small. This work demonstrates a methodology that can provide COI source term concentrations in CO2 leaking from a reservoir and entering an overlying aquifer for use in risk assessments.

Evaluation of Triploid Oysters as a Tool to assess Short- and Long-term Seafood Contamination of Oil Spill-impacted Areas

ABSTRACT The objective of this field and laboratory study was to evaluate the use of triploid Eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, as a bioindicator of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in oil spill-impacted areas. Bivalve mollusks have shown to be valuable tools for assessing the short-term (weeks to months) bioavailability and impact of hydrophobic contaminants following oil and chemical spills. Approximately 1-year after the initial Deepwater Horizon spill, PAH concentrations were measured in sediment and caged oysters at sites within the Northern Barataria Bay. Two (2) seven-week large-scale mesocosm studies were conducted with diploid and triploid oysters to assess the effects of multiple whole South Louisiana crude (SLC) oil concentrations and seasonal water temperature variation on the PAH bioaccumulation and depuration rates within the test populations. Tissue analyses from the mesocosm study showed that PAH concentrations were generally higher and less variable in triploids than diploids. The studies showed that triploid Crassostrea virginica can be an appropriate organism to serve as a bioindicator of PAH contamination as they are abundant, stationary filter-feeders that provide ample tissue for analysis, and accumulate PAHs in response to contamination. Although diploid oysters are more representative of ecological impacts, triploid oysters are the only ploidy to have the capability to accurately assess oil and chemical spill impacts during oyster breeding season.

Presence and Levels of Common Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Staple Foods of Nigerians

We investigated the presence and levels of 11 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 4 commonly consumed roasted food delicacies in Owerri, a southeastern city of Nigeria. Freshly roasted plantain, yam, fish and meat (popularly called suya) samples were purchased from 10 roadside fast-food sellers in the municipality, preserved in labelled sterile amber bottles with benzene and taken to the laboratory in iced-chest. A gas chromatograph coupled with flame ioni- zation detector (GC-FID) was used in the analysis of samples. The single factor ANOVA and means plots were used to detect homogeneity in mean variance and structure of group means of the PAHs determined in the foods, respectively. Roasted plantain contained the highest level of combined PAHs measured (0.0465 mg/kg), followed by suya (0.0372 mg/kg); with mean concentrations of 0.004227 (± 0.0019135) and 0.003382 (± 0.0023045) mg/kg, respectively. However, least concen- tration of the combined PAHs of 0.0135 (0.001227 ± 0.0004152) mg/kg was recorded in roasted fish. There was significant heterogeneity (F(214.52)>Fcrit(3.95)) at P<0.05 (95% confidence limit) in the concentrations of the PAHs in the foods sampled. Post-hoc means plots revealed that the heterogeneity was most contributed by fluorene in suya, acenaphthene and phenan- threne in roasted fish, phenanthrene and anthracene in roasted plantain, and anthracene in roasted yam samples. The higher concentrations of these hydrocarbons in suya than roasted yam could be due to the longer roasting duration, higher fat content of meat, and pyrolysis resulting from melted fat from meat dropping onto the heat source. However, the higher concentrations of combined PAHs recorded in roasted plantain than meat (suya) and roasted fish could be due to the closer distances the plantain samples were (usually) placed to the source of the heat and the higher temperature required for roasting the plantains than meat and fish. The study reveals high concentrations of the PAHs in the foods sampled. This therefore places the several consumers at potential health risk.

Comparative toxicity of four chemically dispersed and undispersed crude oils to rainbow trout embryos

The chronic toxicity of crude oil to fish embryos depends on the chemical constituents of the test oil and on factors that control the exposure of embryos to those constituents. The partitioning of chemicals from oil to water depends on the surface area of oil exposed to water and thus on the susceptibility of oil to be dispersed into droplets. The chronic toxicity of four different crude oils to embryos of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was measured by exposure to the water-accommodated fraction (WAF; no droplet formation) and to the chemically enhanced WAF (CEWAF) of each oil. When effects were compared with the amount of WAF or CEWAF added to test solutions, chemical dispersion increased toxicity dramatically, by >35 to >300-fold, with the smallest difference measured for the lightest and least viscous oil. When effects were compared with measured concentrations of oil in test solutions, there were no differences in toxicity between WAF and CEWAF treatments, indicating that chemical dispersion promoted droplet formation and the partitioning of hydrocarbons from oil to water. On a dilution basis, the differences in toxicity among the four oils were correlated with the concentrations in oil of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), particularly those with three to five rings, and with their viscosity, an index of dispersibility. However, when PAH concentrations were measured in solution, toxicity did not vary substantially among the four oils, suggesting that the PAH of each oil had equivalent toxicities and that differences in toxicity represented differences in dispersability.

Navigation Activities Assessment on the Variations of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons, River Nile, Egypt

The River Nile is considered the most important sources of fresh water for Egypt, supplying all agricultural, cultural needs (drinking water and other civilization uses), industry, and river navigation for transport and tourism ships and boat. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds are considered an important class of hazardous environmental contaminants because some exhibit carcinogenic or mutagenic properties. PAHs can be divided according to the number of rings into low and high molecular weights PAHs. The low molecular weights consist of two and three aromatic rings (LPAHs). While the high molecular weight consists of tetra-, penta and hexa- aromatic rings (HPAHs). Four to six ring PAHs is highly mutagenic and carcinogenic while two or three ring PAHs are less mutagenic but can be highly toxic. The concentrations of PAHs in the river water at the area of El-Qanater El-Khairiya and El-Waraq was determined in order to assess the anthropogenic chemical inputs from navigation activities of; touistic ships sailing and passenger transportation as well as to assess the weathering effect on the PAHs concentrations. Water samples were selected from ten sites from the main River Nile, Dameitta Branch, Rosetta Branch, El-Rahyaha El-Nassery, and El-Rahyaha El-Menofy in October 2010. Quantification of PAHs using high performance liquid chromatography technique was carried out. Concentration and spatial distribution of individual PAHs of the reference 16 PAHs listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) were investigated in surface water of the study area. The sources of 16 PAHs (pyogenic and perterogic) were achieved using both PAHs distribution and molecular indices based on ratios of selected PAHs concentrations. Total PAHs ranged from 620- 1049 μg/l with an average of 794 μg/l. The highest value of total PAHs found in Dameitta Branch while the lowest one found in El-Rahyaha El-Nassery. The summation of LPAHs ranged from 1.3- 10.1 μg/l, while the summation of HPAHs ranged from 615- 1047 μg/l. The contamination in the study area was shown to be either pyrogenic or mixed pyrogenic and petrogenic. It was found that the PAHs in the study area were mainly derived from combustion coming from the traffics, heating system and run off. Meanwhile, the sources of pollution include petroleum-derived hydrocarbons which contributed to minor inputs. The obtained values can be considered to possess serious health hazards to both human health and all living organisms.

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentration and Mutagenic Activity in Soils Sampled at the Roadsides

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentration and Mutagenic Activity in Soils Sampled at the Roadsides

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and Heavy Metals in Dry and Wet Sludge from As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jordan

Dry and wet sludge samples were collected from the sewage sludge storage site and primary treatment ponds at As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Ponds in Al Hayshmia, Jordan. The concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and macro- and microelements were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. Environmentally relevant concentrations of PAH were detected ranging from 62 μg g−1 to 70 μg g−1 for dry sludge and from 35 μg g−1 to 47 μg g−1 for wet sludge. These results indicated a potential environmental risk if sewage sludge is reused in Jordan as organic fertilizer without first being treated. The results of the study showed that the sewage sludge samples were contaminated with low levels of heavy metals, as the dry sludge samples were characterized by higher concentrations of most analyzed elements than for wet sludge samples. Still, none of the trace metal concentrations exceeded the threshold concentration levels for agricultural-related sludge. Unlike many other nutrients found in sludge, the Total Organic Carbon (TOC%) found in dry and wet sludge revealed similar values, at 13.18 percent and 13.29 percent, respectively. The total phosphorus ranged from 0.25% for dry sludge to 0.47% for wet sludge. Total nitrogen varied from 0.80% for wet sludge to 1.01% for the dry sludge samples. The overall nutrients levels are close to those found in the literature. The findings of this study have improved the understanding of sewage sludge characteristics in a semiarid environment.

663 IS THE OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS SUPPLEMENTATION JUSTIFIED TO MODIFY MAJOR CARDIOVASCULAR OUTCOMES? A META-ANALYSIS

The influence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on a benthic estuarine sedimentary salt-marsh food web was examined using a microcosm system to simulate natural conditions. Microcosms were dosed with sublethal concentrations of PAH-contaminated sediment collected from a produced-water site at Pass Fourchon, Louisiana, USA (final PAH concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 3 mg PAH/kg dry sediment). Bacterial activity, physiological condition and abundance were not influenced by PAH, but microalgal activity and physiological condition were. Grazing by meiobenthic copepods on benthic microalgae was not significantly influenced by PAH concentration, nor was the physiological condition of copepods, as determined by their lipid-storage material. Meiofaunal community composition was influenced by PAH, as nematodes became disproportionately abundant, and the naupliuscopepod ratio increased in High-PAH treatments. Overall, however, sublethal effects of PAH were not pronounced at the concentrations examined. Considering that coastal Louisiana has been exposed to chronic contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons for decades, it is suggested that the sedimentary microbial/meiofaunal community may have adapted to elevated PAH concentrations.

Scavenging Effect of &amp;beta;-Cyclodextrin on Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons of Coal Tar and Smog

The contents of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in tar and smog of burned coal produced in 7 different areas have been measured using three-dimensional fluorescent method.The range of PAHs in coal tar is from 0.201~0.419 mg/g and in coal smog is from 1.1~3.2 μg/g.Scavenging capacity for PAHs in coal smog by β-CD solution was determined to be 65.6%.The results showed that:PAHs contents of coal smog is different as the origin of coal varies.The PAHs content in coal tar is in the order of 10-5 mol/L,and more than that in the order of(10-7 mol/L) in coal smog.As the producing area varies,the scavenging rates of PAHs in coal smog by β-CD solution is also different,the average scavenging rate of 7 kinds of selected coals was 38.4%.Hence,it is hopeful that the β-CD solution can be used as an effective removal agent for PAHs in coal smog.

Persistence and Toxicity of Oil in Brackish Marshes Seven Years After the Chalk Point, Maryland Oil Spill

ABSTRACT Seven years after the spill of an estimated 140,000 gallons of a mixture of No. 6 and No. 2 fuel oils into the Patuxent River, a study was conducted to assess recovery at 24 oiled sites compared with 24 unoiled sites. Metrics included stem density, stem height, belowground biomass and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) at depths of 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm, and soil toxicity of the 0–10 cm interval. Half of the soil samples contained the spilled oil; total PAHs varied by 1–2 orders of magnitude between the top and bottom intervals, reflecting high oil heterogeneity. The oil had lost 22–76% of its initial PAH content, although there had been little to no additional PAH weathering since Fall 2000 and Summer 2001. Stem density and height were significantly lower in oiled versus unoiled sites for Spartina alterniflora but not S. cynosuroides. In contrast, belowground biomass was significantly lower in S. cynosuroides but not S. alterniflora. Based on toxicity tests and sediment quality benchmarks, 25% of the soils were expected to be toxic to many organisms (ESB-TUFCV values &amp;gt; 3.0; PMax &amp;gt; 0.65). There are likely two factors limiting natural weathering processes in the marsh soils: slow physical removal processes and low oxygen availability. The interior marsh habitat is flooded by daily tides through many small channels. The marsh surface has a lot of micro-topography with low areas between dense clumps of stems that hold pools of water during low tide. The sediments in these low areas are very soft and water saturated. Obviously, during spring low tides, the marsh soils do drain as low as 30 cm, because the oil penetrated to these depths in some areas. The falling tide drains through dense vegetation. Tidal flushing may have been a mechanism for removal of bulk oil stranded on the surface initially; however, it would not be effective at mobilizing oil from below the marsh surface. There are few bioturbating benthic biota in these marshes. Photo-oxidation does not occur below ground. Therefore, the only other removal mechanism would be microbial degradation.

Polynuclear aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons in mussels from the coastal zone of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Mussels (Mytilus edulis chilensis) were collected from 12 coastal locations in Ushuaia Bay, Argentina, and the surrounding area in October 1999 and again in October 2003. Concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and selected chlorinated pesticides were determined to assess the impact of a fast-growing population in the area. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 2.24 to an extremely high concentration of 2,420 µg/g lipid measured in mussels collected near an oil jetty used to discharge to shore storage tanks. The composition of PAHs in these samples indicates that the source of these compounds inside Ushuaia Bay is predominantly petrogenic, with some pyrogenic background, whereas mostly pyrogenic-related PAHs were evident in areas outside the bay. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged between 12.8 and 8,210 ng/g lipid, with the highest concentration, detected inside Ushuaia harbor, representing a 10-fold increase when compared with historical data. Chlorinated pesticides were detected at comparatively lower concentrations, with 4-4'- 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene being the most common. The aggressive increase in population and related activities observed in the city of Ushuaia over the last two decades might have affected the environmental quality of the local bay. Moreover, the oceanographic and atmospheric conditions existing in Ushuaia Bay and surrounding areas may favor the accumulation and long-term presence of these organic pollutants in all compartments of this fragile environment.

Organic components of Algerian desert dusts

The organic fraction associated to sands of five localities of Algerian Sahara Desert was characterized with regards to n-alkanes, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and mono/dicarboxylic acids. Huge differences were observed among total contents of the three groups in the sands and, within each group, with regard to percent distribution patterns of congeners. Mutagenic nitro-PAH were virtually absent. Organic acids were identified as the most abundant compounds in all samples (up to 4800 ng g −1 vs. less than 700 of n-alkanes and 22 ng g −1 of PAH); their presence was overall related to biogenic sources except for the Hassi Messaoud petroleum area, where an important contribution of anthropogenic emission was present. The sand composition at Hassi Messaoud (and, at lesser extent, Tougguort) seemed to indicate that environmental conditions promote there the oxidative decomposition of organics; by contrast, at Laghouat, Hassi Bahbah and Gardaïa oases the deposition involved fresh (non-reacted) air pollutants. The sand composition at the Hassi Messaoud was compared to that of airborne particulates of the industrial district and city. Airborne n-alkanes (≈500 ng m −3) and fatty acids (≈15 000 ng m −3) were very high compared to Algiers city, whilst PAH contents (10–60 ng m −3) were typical of polluted areas in winter; similarly, the sands were reach of the two aliphatic groups and relatively poor of PAH.

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) differentially influence growth of various emergent wetland species

The growth of emergent wetland plants may be influenced by toxic organic pollutants, which would influence the extent of phytoremediation when used in constructed wetlands. A series of glasshouse experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the growth of various emergent wetland species. The response of species to PAHs varied significantly. A significant interaction (species × PAH treatment) was observed for relative growth rates (RGRs) of Baumea juncea, Baumea articulata, Schoenoplectus validus and Juncus subsecundus in hydroponics with naphthalene, and of B. juncea and J. subsecundus in soils freshly spiked with phenanthrene and pyrene. In hydroponics, biomass of B. articulata significantly increased in the treatments with relatively low addition of naphthalene, whereas that of S. validus significantly increased with all naphthalene additions. In both hydroponics and soils, the growth of B. juncea increased with the PAH (phenanthrene and pyrene) additions, whereas that of J. subsecundus decreased in the treatments with relatively high concentrations of PAHs. The removal of PAHs from soil was not affected significantly by J. subsecundus after 70 days of growth and B. juncea after 150 days of growth. The growth of J. subsecundus was slightly (but not significantly) influenced by the PAH residues in soil. The effect of PAHs on wetland plant growth could be species-specific regardless of PAH types and media. The response of species to PAHs needs to be taken into account when selecting species for wetlands constructed for phytoremediation.

Quantification and Distribution of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PNAs) in Surface Waters in the Vicinity of Kokori Oil Field, Nigeria

The distribution pattern and sources of sixteen PANs listed as priority pollutants were investigated in eight composite water samples using Gas Chromatography (GC) with a Hawlett-Packard model 6890 with 30m x 0.28 capillary column. Analytical observation of the percentage distribution of PNAs concentration in the study area show thatSSY(20.12%)>SSX(16.75%)>SSZ(16.01%)>SST(14.43%)>SSW(13.24%)>SSU(12.06%)>SSV(6.84%)>SSA(0.55%). The observed distribution of genotoxic (Gen.) and carcinogenic (Car.) PNAs and other PNAs in the study area show that the Gen. and Car PNAs recorded 29.58% over other PNAs with 70.42%. The percentagedistribution of low PNAs/high PNAs and ratio analysis show that this sources are petrogenic and pyrogenic but dominated with petrogenic PNAs

Metal and hydrocarbon behavior in sediments from Brazilian shallow waters drilling activities using nonaqueous drilling fluids (NAFs)

The impact of drilling oil activities in the Brazilian Bonito Field/Campos Basin (Rio de Janeiro) shell drilling (300 m) using nonaqueous fluids (NAFs) was investigated with respect to Al, Fe, Mn, Ba, Co, Pb, Cu, As, Hg, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, V, and aliphatic and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations in the sediment. Sampling took place in three different times during approximately 33 months. For the metals Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, V, and Zn, no significant variation was observed after drilling activities in most of the stations. However, an increase was found in Ba concentration--due to the drilling activity--without return to the levels found 22 months after drilling. High Ba contents was already detected prior to well drilling, probably due to drilling activities in other wells nearby. Hydrocarbon contents also suggest previous anthropogenic activities. Aliphatic hydrocarbon contents were in the range usually reported in other drilling sites. The same behavior was observed in the case of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Nevertheless, the n-alkane concentration increased sharply after drilling, returning almost to predrilling levels 22 months after drilling activities.