This study focused on evaluation of the levels, seasonal variations and human health risks associated with polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in water and sediment samples of Markman Canal using solid phase and soxhlet extraction methods respectively, followed by clean-up and quantification with gas chromatograph coupled with microelectron capture detector. The sum of eight PCNs congener's (∑8PCNs) in water and sediments varied from 0.035 to 0.699 μg/L and 0.260 to 6744.16 μg/kg dw, respectively. Highest PCNs concentrations were recorded in water during winter, while sediment samples collected during spring contained maximum levels. The estimated toxic equivalency (TEQ) for water and sediments was 1.19 × 10-7-1.47 × 10-4 µg/L and 4.43 × 10-5-4.19 × 10-1 µg/kg consecutively. The PCN levels and TEQ values revealed that this waterbody is polluted but constitutes no excess health risk. Efforts should be made to control all the activities contributing to pollution of this canal.
Keywords: Markman Canal; Persistent organic pollutant; Polychlorinated naphthalene; Toxic equivalency.
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