Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5758215 | Regional Studies in Marine Science | 2017 | 20 Pages |
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are broadly studied due to their deleterious effects on organisms and humans. In this paper, the brown mussels (Perna perna) was chosen as indicators of PAH contamination in two contrasting Brazilian coastal areas, subject to different levels of anthropogenic impact. PAHs were analyzed by GC-MS in three mussels size-classes samples. Bulk PAHs (âPAHs) concentration varied between 432.69-700.25nggâ1 in the less contaminated region (South Brazil - FMAS), and 544.91-848.78nggâ1 in the more polluted area (Guanabara Bay - BG). Concentrations of â16PAHs varied between 38.96-63.47nggâ1 and 62.92-243.59nggâ1 in FMAS and BG, respectively. The results of show the study that FMAS and BG mussels display low to moderate contamination, confirming the use of these organisms as sentinels of environmental contamination. All samples had benzo(a)pyrene concentrations below the established European Union threshold.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Oceanography
Authors
Ana Beatriz A. Ramos, Cássia O. Farias, Cláudia Hamacher, Michelle Araújo,