Assessing the Ecological Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments at Langkawi Island, Malaysia

Abstract

Tourism-related activities such as the heavy use of boats for transportation are a significant source of petroleum hydrocarbons that may harm the ecosystem of Langkawi Island. The contamination and toxicity levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in the sediments of Langkawi were evaluated using sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and toxic equivalent factors. Ten samples were collected from jetties and fish farms around the island in December 2010. A gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) was used to analyse the 18 PAHs. The concentration of total PAHs was found to range from 869 ± 00 to 1637 ± 20 ng g−1 with a mean concentration of 1167.00 ± 24 ng g−1, lower than the SQG effects range-low (3442 ng g−1). The results indicated that PAHs may not cause acute biological damage. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis suggested that the PAHs were likely to originate from pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. The toxic equivalent concentrations of the PAHs ranged from 76.3 to 177 ng TEQ/g d.w., which is lower compared to similar studies. The results of mean effects range-median quotient of the PAHs were lower than 0.1, which indicate an 11% probability of toxicity effect. Hence, the sampling sites were determined to be the low-priority sites.

Sources, distribution and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the mangrove sediments of Thane Creek, Maharashtra, India

“…The leakage of petroleum products and engine oil from the boats and ferries may elevate the level and contribute immensely to PAH recorded at Trombay. Similar to our finding, Nasher et al (2013) …”

PAHs in the Ría de Arousa (NW Spain): A consideration of PAHs sources and abundance

“…It can be concluded that the relative high amount of LMW PAHs can be related with petrogenic inputs due to unscrupulous or direct disposal of diesel oil and other unburned fuel from boats. (Nasher et al, 2013;Vane et al, 2014;Monikh et al, 2014;Kim et al, 2008).…”

“…An easy approach to assess sediment toxicity based on this carcinogenic PAHs was defined in 1995 by Long and implemented to classify sediments at Langkawi Island, Malaysia by Long et al (1995) and Nasher et al (2013). These authors define an ERL carc of 1373 ng g À1 and an ERM carc of 8410 ng g À1 .…”

Kandungan senyawa polisiklik aromatik hidrokarbon dalam air laut dan sedimen di Teluk Lampung

“…Pada Tabel 2 dapat dilihat rasio antara kadar PAH dengan berat molekul rendah dengan PAH berat molekul tinggi di Stasiun 1 dan 2 masing adalah 1,414 dan 1,044. Nilai ini >1, yang berarti secara umum PAH berasal dari sumber petrogenik (Nasher et al, 2013). PAH petrogenik terdiri dari naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, dan fluorene, dan merupakan alkil yang tersubstitusi pada PAH atau PAH dengan berat molekul rendah (2-3 cincin benzen).…”