Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments from Greece: Occurrence, sources and risk assessment

This study examines the occurrence of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment samples collected from three areas (Saronikos Gulf, Piraeus harbor, Heraklion) across the Hellenic coastline, while PAHs distri-bution, sources and ecotoxicological risk are evaluated. According to the detected concentrations of PAHs, the most contaminated area was Piraeus (sigma PAHs: 125 to 2720 ng/g dw), followed by Saronikos Gulf (sigma PAHs: 21.4-1820 ng/g dw) and Heraklion (4.10-230 ng/g dw). Most sampling sites clearly show evidence for com-bustion in the source, whereas the data from Piraeus harbor indicate petroleum contamination as well. The calculated Toxic Equivalence Quotient (TEQ) and Mutagenic Equivalence Quotient (MEQ) values for Saronikos Gulf and Heraklion reveal low, or no, adverse health effects to exposed biota, while the pollution picture in Piraeus port indicates that BaP is the main contributor to carcinogenic and mutagenic risk. Risk assessment regarding dermal uptake of PAHs corroborated a negligible risk.

Automated summary

This study investigates the occurrence, distribution, sources, and ecotoxicological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment samples collected from three areas along the Hellenic coastline. The results reveal that Piraeus harbor is the most contaminated area, followed by Saronikos Gulf and Heraklion. Most sampling sites show evidence of combustion as the source, with petroleum contamination also indicated in Piraeus harbor. Risk assessment indicates low or no adverse health effects for exposed biota in Saronikos Gulf and Heraklion, while BaP is identified as the main contributor to carcinogenic and mutagenic risk in Piraeus harbor.