A Preliminary Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Distribution in the Kenting Coral Reef Waters of Southern Taiwan

Abstract

This distribution and variation of 45 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the waters of Kenting coral reefs were investigated by using sensitive research-grade sampling and analytical methods. The concentration levels of total PAHs (including particulate and dissolved PAHs) in the Kenting waters were relatively low, ranging from 2.2 to 34.4 ng/L. There was no significant spatial difference in PAH concentrations among the sampling stations, even between the surface and bottom waters. The fraction of dissolved PAHs on average was greater than that of particulate PAHs due to the small amount of total suspended particles. The partition coefficients between the particulate and dissolved phase (log K(oc)) were positively correlated with their log K(ow) values (r(2) = 0.67, n = 80), except for the more hydrophobic PAHs with log K(ow) values greater than 5.91. Results of principal component analysis indicate that the patterns of particulate PAH compositions were similar through the Kenting waters in the fall and winter, whereas there was a significant spatial difference between the spring and summer samples, which might be affected by a combination of land runoff and coastal currents. PAHs along the Kenting coasts were dominated by low-molecular PAHs, which have higher solubility than high-molecular PAHs. Based on isomer ratios, analysis of the source of PAHs in the Kenting coastal waters demonstrated that the PAHs come mostly from petroleum and, to a lesser degree, from combustion.

Occurrence and distribution of anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants in coastal sediments and mud shrimps from the wetland of central Taiwan

“…The preparation and extraction of sediment samples and mud shrimp (A. edulis) were conducted as described by previous studies [20,21]. Briefly, about 5 g of dried sediment and shrimp of each sample were ground finely with anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 in a mortar pestle, following by extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus for 24 h with hexane and acetone (1:1; v/v).…”

Benzo(a)pyrene-induced metabolic responses in Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) based metabolomics

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been ubiquitous contaminants in the environments due to anthropogenic activities, such as incomplete combustion of organic materials, petroleum spills, discharges from ships and industrial effluents (Latimer and Zheng, 2003;Phillips, 1983;Beyer et al, 2010;Cheng et al, 2010). PAH contamination is of great concern since these compounds are known to be cytotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic to various organisms (Uno et al, 2001;Toyooka and Ibuki, have been well-documented (Binelli et al, 2008;Poirier and Beland, 1992;Uno et al, 2001).…”

Comparison of PoraPak Rxn RP and XAD-2 adsorbents for monitoring dissolved hydrophobic organic contaminants

“…PPR and XAD-2 sampling efficiency inter-comparison for dissolved polychlorinated biphenyls in lake water In general, sample concentration techniques using a polymeric adsorbent require packing in large glass/ Teflon columns, transporting cleaned resin-filled columns to and from the sampling site, and transfer to an extraction apparatus (e.g., Soxhlet or accelerated solvent extractor (ASE)) (Capel and Eisenreich 1985;Achman et al 1993;Hornbuckle et al 1994;Hornbuckle et al 1995;Zeng et al 1999;Totten et al 2001;Streets et al 2006;Rowe et al 2007;Cheng et al 2010). Such adsorbent and sample manipulation, particularly the transfer from sampling column to a column suitable for the extractor, potentially induces sample loss and contamination.…”