Sources and Geochemical Constraints of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments and Mussels of two Northern Irish Sea-loughs

摘要

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were sampled from 30 sediment and 8 mussel (Mytilus edulis) stations in two Northern Irish Sea-loughs. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sedimentary organic carbon, /100 silt/clay and mean grain size were analyzed in order to assess the role of geochemistry on PAH distribution. With the exception of tow sites in Larne Lough representing localized regions of high contamination, ΣPAHs in sediments ranged be- tween 83 and 2300 ng g~-1. Regression analysis indicated that particle size and organic C were dominant factor sin controlling the distribution of PAHs throughout the sed- iments.