title: Evaluation of surface sediment contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the "Saco do Laranjal"--(Patos Lagoon, Brazil).
abstract: This paper evaluates the concentration of Polyaromatic hydrocarbons - PAHs in the Estuarine area of the Patos Lagoon, more precisely in a local named "Saco do Laranjal" in Pelotas City (southern Brazil). The samples were collected in May 2008. The concentrations of 16 US-EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by gas chromatography with a mass spectrometry detector (GC/MS). The sum of PAHs concentration ranged from 7.3 to 92.8 μg kg(-1) in dry weight. The positive correlation (Pearson test) between the total organic material (TOM) and the total PAH concentration (0.98) suggests that TOM plays an important role in controlling the PAHs levels in the sediments. According to the observed ratios of individual PAHs, the contamination in the studied area is originated, predominantly pyrolytic sources. The values found are considered under normal levels and indicates a not impacted area.
authors: Grupo de Pesquisa em Contaminantes Ambientais, GPCA, Instituto Federal Sul-Rio-Grandense-Campus Pelotas, RS, Brazil. sanches@pelotas.ifsul.edu.br
authors: Pedro José Sanches
authors: PJ
authors: Filho
authors: Luiza Placidina
authors: LP
authors: da Luz
authors: Glauco Rasmussen
authors: GR
authors: Betemps
authors: Elina Bastos
authors: EB
authors: Caramão
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical