title: Distribution and bioaccumulation of PAHs in the UNESCO protected natural reserve of Urdaibai, Bay of Biscay.
abstract: Along 10 campaigns, from June 2002 to September 2004, the concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in sediments and oysters (Crassostrea sp.) taken from four sites in the Unesco protected natural reserve of Urdaibai (Basque Country, Bay of Biscay). Total PAH concentration ranged from 0.7 to 140 microg kg(-1) (dw) in the case of sediments, and from 300 to 1400 microg kg(-1) (dw) in the case of oysters. During this study, the coast of the Bay of Biscay was severely affected by the Prestige oil spill (November 2002). Presumably, as a consequence of this accident, both spatial and temporal variations of the PAHs, as well as the sources of the PAHs were affected by the oil spill, and this effect was observed in the total concentrations and, especially, in several diagnostic ratios and in multivariate data analysis. Finally, both BAF (bioaccumulation factor) and BSAF (biota-sediment accumulation factor) parameters were calculated to conclude that particulate matter seems to be the most favourable uptake pathway of PAHs in oysters from this estuary.
authors.affiliation: Kimika Analitikoa Saila, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 644 P.K., 48080 Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cortazar
authors.affiliation: Kimika Analitikoa Saila, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 644 P.K., 48080 Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bartolomé
authors.affiliation: Kimika Organikoa II Saila, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 644 P.K., 48080 Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arrasate
authors.affiliation: Kimika Analitikoa Saila, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 644 P.K., 48080 Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usobiaga
authors.affiliation: Kimika Analitikoa Saila, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 644 P.K., 48080 Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Raposo
authors.affiliation: Kimika Analitikoa Saila, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 644 P.K., 48080 Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zuloaga
authors.affiliation: Kimika Analitikoa Saila, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 644 P.K., 48080 Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. Electronic address: nestor.etxebarria@ehu.es.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Etxebarria
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005843:Geography; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000378:metabolism; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis*; D013030:Spain; D014480:United Nations / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical