Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments of the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno, Southern Italy: Status, sources and ecological risk

This study investigated the spatial distribution, potential sources, and toxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno (NaSa Gulfs), Southern Italy. The investigation focused on the coastal sea sediments of the Bagnoli brownfield site within the Gulf of Naples. The Sigma(16)PAHs in the sediments of the NaSa Gulfs outside of the Bagnoli brownfield site have concentrations that ranged from 9.58 to 15,818 mu g/kg, with a geometric mean (Gmean) of 234 mu g/kg. High-molecular weight PAHs (HMW PAHs) contributed to over 80% of the Sigma(16)PAHs. The concentration of Sigma(16)PAHs in the Gulf of Naples was twice as high as that in Salerno (768 mu g/kg and 317 mu g/kg, respectively), and the Sigma(16)PAHs levels in the Bagnoli brownfield site exceeded that in the NaSa Gulfs by over three orders of magnitude. The molecular distributions of PAHs studies suggested biomass/coal combustion as their main sources. Based on the analysis of the toxic equivalent quantity and sediment quality guideline quotient, the contamination of PAHs in sediments may pose significant toxicity and biological risks to marine organisms.