Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons loads into the Mediterranean Sea: Estimate of Sarno River inputs

► The pollution by PAHs in the Sarno River and its environmental impact on the Central Mediterranean Sea was estimated. ► The Sarno River is nicknamed “the most polluted River in Europe” and no data are available on its pollution. ► The PAHs load from the Sarno River into the Central Mediterranean Sea was estimated in about 8530 g d−1. ► The ratio study reflected a prevailing pattern of pyrolytic inputs of PAHs in Sarno River and Estuary.