title: Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of San Diego Bay marinas.
abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have garnered much attention due to their bioaccumulation, carcinogenic properties, and persistence in the environment. Investigation of the spatial distribution, composition, and sources of PAHs in sediments of three recreational marinas in San Diego Bay, California revealed significant differences among marinas, with concentrations in one site exceeding 16,000ngg-1. 'Hotspots' of PAH concentration suggest an association with stormwater outfalls draining into the basins. High-molecular weight PAHs (4-6 rings) were dominant (>86%); the average percentage of potentially carcinogenic PAHs was high in all sites (61.4-70%) but ecotoxicological risks varied among marinas. Highly toxic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was the main contributor (>90%) to the total toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) in marinas. PAHs in San Diego Bay marina sediments appear to be derived largely from pyrogenic sources, potentially from combustion products that reach the basins by aerial deposition and stormwater drainage from nearby streets and parking lots.
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oceanography Division and Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, USA. Electronic address: cneira@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neira
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cossaboon
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oceanography Division and Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Eunha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoh
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oceanography Division and Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061006:Bays; D002140:California; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Marina; Pollution; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; San Diego Bay; Spatial distribution; Surface sediment