Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from the Bering Sea and western Arctic Ocean

Mengwei Zhao; Weiguo Wang; Yanguang Liu; Linsen Dong; Liping Jiao; Limin Hu; Dejiang Fan

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.016

Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from the Bering Sea and western Arctic Ocean

Mar Pollut Bull. 2016 Mar 15;104(1-2):379-85. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.016. Epub 2016 Jan 21.

Authors

Mengwei Zhao¹, Weiguo Wang², Yanguang Liu³, Linsen Dong³, Liping Jiao⁴, Limin Hu³, Dejiang Fan⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China.
² Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China. Electronic address: wangweiguo@tio.org.cn.
³ First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao 266061, China.
⁴ Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China.
⁵ College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.

PMID: 26806662
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.016

Abstract

To analyze the distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and evaluate their potential ecological risks, the concentrations of 16 PAHs were measured in 43 surface sediment samples from the Bering Sea and western Arctic Ocean. Total PAH (tPAH) concentrations ranged from 36.95 to 150.21 ng/g (dry weight). In descending order, the surface sediment tPAH concentrations were as follows: Canada Basin>northern Chukchi Sea>Chukchi Basin>southern Chukchi Sea>Aleutian Basin>Makarov Basin>Bering Sea shelf. The Bering Sea and western Arctic Ocean mainly received PAHs of pyrogenic origin due to pollution caused by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. The concentrations of PAHs in the sediments of the study areas did not exceed effects range low (ERL) values.

Keywords: Bering Sea; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; Surface sediment; Western Arctic Ocean.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Arctic Regions
Canada
Environmental Monitoring*
Geologic Sediments / chemistry
North Sea
Oceans and Seas
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis*
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Water Pollutants, Chemical