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Seasonal Distribution, Source Identification, and Toxicological Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments from Wadi El Bey Watershed in Tunisia

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Abstract

Surface sediments were collected from the Watershed of Wadi El Bey in Tunisia to evaluate the degree of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination. Sediments were collected during different seasons in 14 sites that received wastes from domestic effluent, industrial discharge, and agricultural drainage wastes. Twenty-six individual PAHs were analyzed. The total PAH contents (Σ PAHs) in surface sediments showed wide variability, ranging from 6.89 ± 0.05 to 340 ± 0.1 ng g−1. The 4-, 5-, and 6-ring compounds were the most abundant PAHs detected at the majority of sites. Diagnostic concentration ratios between pairs of PAHs and molecular indices, calculated with the purpose of drawing information about pollution sources, indicated that PAHs were of both petrogenic and pyrolytic origins. Toxic contaminants concentrations were determined according to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). PAH levels did not exceed the SQGs, indicating that PAHs seem to pose low and occasional toxicity risks. Total carcinogenicity and mutagenicity (TEQBaP and MEQBaP) ranged from 0.08 to 65 ng and from 0.02 to 135.0 ng g−1 of dry weight, respectively. Among the seven carcinogenic PAHs, BaP accounted for the majority of the potency and could potentially be used as a unique indicator of PAH toxicity. This study provides a baseline to promote environmental protection programs and pollution monitoring/control in Watershed and coastal areas.

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Abbreviations

Ant:

Anthracene

Ace:

Acenaphtylene

BaA:

Benzo(a)anthracene

BaP:

Benzo(a)pyrene

BbF:

Benzo(b)fluoranthene

BeP:

Benzo(e)pyrene

Bghi:

Benzo(ghi)perylene

BkF:

Benzo(k)fluoranthene

CPAH:

Carcinogenic PAH

Chry:

Chrysene

Di(ah)A:

Dibenzo(ah)anthracene

Fl:

Fluorene

Flu:

Fluoranthene

Mhe:

Methylphenanthrene

Phe:

Phenanthrene

Ind:

Indeno(1-2, 3cd)pyrene

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Researches and Technologies Center Borj-Cedria Technopark, BP 273-8020, Soliman, Tunisia

    Imen Gdara, Ines Zrafi & Ahmed Ghrabi

  2. Faculty of Science of Bizerte, 7021, Zarzouna, Bizerte, Tunisia

    Imen Gdara

  3. National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29.3, P.O. Box 1000015, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy

    Catia Balducci & Angelo Cecinato

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  1. Imen Gdara
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  2. Ines Zrafi
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  3. Catia Balducci
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  4. Angelo Cecinato
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  5. Ahmed Ghrabi
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Gdara, I., Zrafi, I., Balducci, C. et al. Seasonal Distribution, Source Identification, and Toxicological Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments from Wadi El Bey Watershed in Tunisia. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 73, 488–510 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-017-0440-7

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