Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments and mussels of Corral Bay, south central Chile

Abstract

PAHs were measured in sediments and mussels (Mytilus chilensis) from Carboneros and Puerto Claro, located in Corral Bay, Valdivia. According to the ratio of phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene concentrations, these sites are medium polluted with PAHs originating mainly from pyrolytic sources. Fluoranthene was the major component measured in mussels (3.1-390 ng g(-1) dry weight) and sediments (6.9-74.1 ng g(-1) dry weight). In general, mussels were mainly exposed to the dissolved fraction of the lower molecular weight PAHs (tri- and tetra-aromatics) while the higher molecular ring systems (penta- and hexa-aromatics) were more bioavailable to sediments. Mussel PAHs content was relatively constant, with the exception of the 1999 summer season (March), when higher concentration values were found in both sites; however, PAHs residues in sediments showed a temporal variation.

Using indicators and models for an ecosystem approach to fisheries and aquaculture management: the anchovy fishery and Pacific oyster culture in Chile: case studies

“…Tides are the main source of circulation energy for the estuarine system. Only a few studies and sampling campaigns have collected information on water quality, sediment characteristics, primary production, benthic fauna, and pollution in the estuary (Arcos et al, 2002;Ramírez, 2003;Palma-Fleming et al, 2004;Velázquez, 2005).…”

Temporal and Spatial Trends of Total Aliphatic Hydrocarbons of Diesel Range and Trace Elements in Sediments and Mussels of the Corral Bay Area, Valdivia, South Central Chile

“…abruptly dying. Pollution by polycyclic aromatic fraction of hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Mytilus chilensis at medium levels in the Corral Bay area (Carboneros and Puerto Claro) has been reported (medium polluted: 100-1100 ng/g) 19 . During the years 2003 and 2004 TPH-diesel and PAHs were measured in sediments of the Valdivia River, being classified as medium to highly polluted, with TPH-diesel concentrations between 20 and 41 µgg -1 dry weigh and total PAHs variation from 72 to 3122 ngg -1 dry weight (Palma-Fleming et al, in progress).…”

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Coastal Environments of Valdivia and Valparaíso, Chile

“…The concentrations of total PAHs in this study ng/g, in Valdivia, and 12-253 ng/g, in Valparaiso, on a two year period) are lower than PAHs reported in Mytilus chilensis collected from an inner area located to the south of the Corral Bay (138-877 ng/g during the period 1999-2000, described as medium polluted by PAHs) 29 and represent values of low to moderate pollution levels according to Baumard et al (1998) criteria 31 . PAHs levels in the present study are also comparable to the lower-medium range of PAHs determined in the mussel Mytilus californianus collected from San Francisco Bay by Oros et al (2005) (21-1093 ng/g d.w.) 32 and lower than the levels reported by Sericano et al (1995) 20 in bivalves collected from Punta Arenas (1600 ng/g d.w), South of Chile, and also considerable lower compared to the levels found in blue mussel, Mytilus trossulus from Arcachon Bay, France, a site of high contamination (4500-5000 ng/g d.w.) 33 .…”

“…Sources of pyrolitic PAHs could be the incomplete residencial and industrial wood, coal briquettes, charcoal and fuel combustion rounding 9-10 months/year. Some other possible sources of pyrolitic PAH would be the exhaust of outboard marine engines and airbone particle from terrestrial trafic emissions 29 . However, Valparaiso sites show two different areas with PAH having markedly distinct origin: those PAH coming from petroleum refinery at Concon, whereas those PAH encountered at Ventanas and Horcon locations seem to be of pyrolitic origin.…”

“…The aromatic fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass selective detector (GC-MSD) as described by Palma-Fleming et al 29 . An HP 6890 PLUS gas chromatograph equipped with a programmable temperature vaporizing inlet (PTV) and coupled to an HP 5973 mass selective detector (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA, USA) were used.…”