title: Sediment PAH: contrasting levels in the Caspian Sea and Anzali Wetland.
abstract: A comparative study of 23 PAH congeners in sediment of the Caspian Sea coast and Anzali Wetland was conducted in 2010. Surface sediment was analyzed using chromatography and mass spectrometry. Total PAH concentrations ranged between 212 and 9009 ng g(-1) dw. Spatial distribution maps revealed that PAH levels were higher in the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea where oil related activities have been common since 1800's. Diagnostic ratios analysis indicated that PAHs largely originated from petrogenic processes. PAH toxicity level was assessed using sediment quality guidelines and toxic equivalent concentrations to determine toxic effects on marine organism. Based on these investigations, in our study areas, the probability of toxicity for benthic organisms is "low to medium". The toxic equivalent concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs varied between 11 and 231 ng TEQ/g; higher total toxic equivalent concentrations values were found in the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea.
authors.affiliation: Tarbiyat Modares University, P.O. Box 46414-356, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran.
authors.forename: Rokhsareh Azimi
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Yancheshmeh
authors.affiliation: Tarbiyat Modares University, P.O. Box 46414-356, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran. Electronic address: riahi@modares.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Alireza Riyahi
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bakhtiari
authors.affiliation: Malayer University, P.O. Box 65719-9581863, Malayer, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Samar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mortazavi
authors.affiliation: P.O. Box 7038, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
authors.forename: Mozhgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savabieasfahani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000187:drug effects; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Anzali Wetland; Caspian Sea; Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry; PAH; Sediment quality guidelines; Toxic equivalent concentrations