Baseline concentrations and distributions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in surface sediments from the Qatar marine environment. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hassan, Hassan Mustafa; Castillo, Azenith B.; Yigiterhan, Oguz; Elobaid, Elnaiem Ali; Al-Obaidly, Abdulrahman; Al-Ansari, Ebrahim; Obbard, Jeffrey Philip
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 126(2018)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Qatar-marine coastal sediments -- Arabian Gulf -- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) -- Grain size -- Total organic carbon (TOC) -- Correlation analysis; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.093
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Coastal sediments in marine waters of Qatar have the potential of being contaminated by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to extensive petroleum exploration and transportation activities within Qatar's Marine Exclusive Economic Zone. In this study, the concentration and distribution of sixteen PAHs classed as USEPA priority pollutants were measured in sediments from the eastern Qatari coast. PAHs were recovered from sediments via accelerated solvent extraction and then analyzed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Total concentrations of the PAHs were in the range of 3.15–14.35 μg/kg, and the spatial distribution of PAHs is evaluated in the context of sediment total organic content, depth and the grain size together with and the proximity of petroleum exploration and transportation activities. The data show that the concentrations of PAHs within the study area were in the low-range, suggesting a low risk to marine organisms and limited transfer of PAHs into the food web. Highlights: PAH and TOC measured in sediment from northeastern Qatar using a grab sampler deployed from the research vessel Janan. PAH analysed using GC/MS, with TOC determined using C/N analyzer Sediment PAH concentration ranged from 3.15 μg/kg–14.35 μg/kg PAH concentration moderately and positively correlated to sediment TOC PAH influenced by particle size, showing elevated concentrations in areas of high silt and clay percentages