Seasonal and body size-dependent variability in the bioaccumulation of PAHs and their alkyl homologues in pearl oysters in the central Arabian Gulf

Spatiotemporal concentration patterns for 19 parents and their alkyl homologues were measured in Pinctada radiata from 7 locations in the central Arabian Gulf around Qatar in the winter, spring and summer (2014-2015).The concentrations of PAHs ranged from 20 to 2240 (262 +/- 38.0 ng.g  1 dw) with the highest occurrence in the Doha harbor (738.4 +/- 197.3 ng.g  1 dw) and the lowest in the west coast of Qatar (48.3 +/- 5.8 ng.g  1 dw).Residual PAHs in the oysters were about two times higher in winter than in spring and summer (P < 0.05). PAHs in oysters are dominated by 2 and 3 rings PAHs and their alkyls. Alkylated PAHs (APAHs) comprised >55 % of the Sigma PAHs. Statistically significant differences in PAHs profiles among oysters were due in part to differences in lipid contents and shell biometrics. Principal component analysis (PCA) and diagnostic ratios for sources identifications suggested that PAHs accumulations in oysters were due to petrogenic and fuel combustion.

Automated summary

This study measured the spatiotemporal concentration patterns of 19 parents and their alkyl homologues in Pinctada radiata from 7 locations in the central Arabian Gulf around Qatar. The results showed significant differences in PAH concentrations among different locations and seasons, with higher residual PAHs in oysters in winter compared to spring and summer. The dominant source of PAHs in oysters was identified as petrogenic and fuel combustion.