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Temporal and spatial changes of PAH concentrations in Mytilus galloprovincialis from Ria de Vigo (NW Spain)

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the temporal trends and spatial distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Ria de Vigo by means of studying the PAH burden in wild mussels. The samples were collected in eight sites along the margins of the Ria de Vigo during November from 1998 to 2008 and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon contents were determined using high performance liquid chromatography–fluorescence derivatization (HPLC–FLD). Quality of chemical analysis was guaranteed by participation in QUASIMEME intercalibration exercises carried out during the period of analysis. The concentrations for the sum of 13 PAHs were in the range 24–480 μg/kg dw, typical of an urban and industrialized area (50–500 μg/kg dw) except for a punctual input in La Guía in 1998 that led to a concentration above 1,000 μg/kg dw. In general, the sites in the outermost section of the estuary (ría) showed the lowest values, with an increasing gradient in the medium and inner parts of the ría. Temporal patterns show, in general, a downward trend. The relative proportion of 3 and 4 ring PAHs also varies with the site, the former being predominant in the outermost area and the latter in the medium and inner parts of the ría. This is consistently related with the sources and processes taking place in different areas of the estuary.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project CTM2007-60148). The authors would like to thank Bruno Cambeiro and the rest of the lab staff for the technical support in the collection and preparation of the samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, IEO (Instituto Español de Oceanografía), Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390, Vigo, Spain

    Lucia Viñas, Angeles Franco, Xoana Blanco, Jessica Bargiela, Jose A. Soriano, Begoña Perez-Fernandez & Juan Jose Gonzalez

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  1. Lucia Viñas
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  2. Angeles Franco
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  3. Xoana Blanco
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  4. Jessica Bargiela
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  5. Jose A. Soriano
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  6. Begoña Perez-Fernandez
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  7. Juan Jose Gonzalez
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Correspondence to Lucia Viñas.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Viñas, L., Franco, A., Blanco, X. et al. Temporal and spatial changes of PAH concentrations in Mytilus galloprovincialis from Ria de Vigo (NW Spain). Environ Sci Pollut Res 19, 529–539 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0584-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0584-3

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