Original scientific paper
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals in Kostrena Coastal Area
Dijana Tomić Linšak
Željko Linšak
Denis Bešić
Nina Vojčić
Mirna Teležar
Miran Čoklo
Saša Šušnić
Vladimir Mićović
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals in seawater
and sediment in Kostrena coastal area, as well as their toxicity using bioluminescence based tests. Total PAH concentration
in seawater ranged 1.7-155.3 ng/L. The share of carcinogenetic PAH was relatively high, ranging 22–48.3%.
Nickel concentrations in seawater were beyond detection limits (<0.1 mg/L), vanadium concentrations ranged 0.66–1.96
mg/L, chrome concentrations were beyond detection limits, and copper concentrations were also beyond detection limits or
extremely low (up to 0.32 mg/L). EC50 values in seawater ranged 23.80–90.90 ng/L. Correlation between total PAH concentration
and toxicity of seawater showed strong connection between them (r=0.9579). Total PAH concentration in marine
sediment ranged 58.02–1116 mg/kg dry weight (d.w.). The share of carcinogenetic PAH was extremely high ranging
10–53%. Nickel concentrations in marine sediment ranged 8–24 mg/kg d.w., vanadium concentrations ranged 24–42
mg/kg d.w., chrome concentrations ranged 11–19 mg/kg d.w., and copper concentrations ranged 7–25 mg/kg d.w. EC50
values in marine sediment ranged 818–4596 mg/kg d.w. Correlation between total PAH concentration and toxicity of marine
sediment showed weak connection between them (r=0.2590). Previous studies of seawater samples from areas of the
Adriatic sea under the direct influence of oil industry did not include concentrations of heavy metals, which makes our
study the first to present such comprehensive results. Our results point out the need for further evaluations and following
of marine environment pollution and its consequences on living organisms and marine ecosystem in whole.
Keywords
marine sediment; PAH; heavy metals; toxicity test; Vibrio fisheri
Hrčak ID:
75634
URI
Publication date:
30.12.2011.
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