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Seasonal occurrence, source evaluation and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in industrial and agricultural effluents discharged in Wadi El Bey (Tunisia)

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are of great concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxic properties. The occurrence, source and ecological risk assessment of 26 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in industrial and agricultural effluents affecting the Wadi El Bey watershed were investigated by means of gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis (GC/MS). Total PAHs (∑ 26 PAH) ranged from 1.21 to 91.7 µg/L. The 4- and 5-ring compounds were the principal PAHs detected in most of 5 sites examined. Diagnostic concentration ratios and molecular indices were performed to identify the PAH sources. Results show that PAHs could originate from petrogenic, pyrolytic and mixed sources. According to the ecotoxicological assessment, the potential risk associated with PAHs affecting agricultural and industrial effluents ranged from moderate to high for both aquatic ecosystem and human health. The toxic equivalency factor (TEF) approach indicated that benzo[a]pyrene and benz[a]anthracene were the principal responsible for carcinogenic power of samples.

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Abbreviations

Ant:

Anthracene

BaA:

Benz[a]anthracene

BbF:

Benzo[b]fluoranthene

BkF:

Benzo[k]fluoranthene

BgP:

Benzo[ghi]perylene

BeP:

Benzo[e]pyrene

BaP:

Benzo[a]pyrene

Chry:

Chrysene

DBA:

Dibenz[a,h]anthracene

Fluo:

Fluoranthene

Indeno:

İndeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene

Mphe:

Methylphenanthrene

Naph:

Naphthalene

Pery:

Perylene

Phe:

Phenanthrene

Pyr:

Pyrene

B(c)phe:

Benzo(c)phenanthrene

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia.

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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 10, 00015, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy

    Catia Balducci & Angelo Cecinato

Authors
  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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Correspondence to Imen Gdara.

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Gdara, I., Zrafi, I., Balducci, C. et al. Seasonal occurrence, source evaluation and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in industrial and agricultural effluents discharged in Wadi El Bey (Tunisia). Environ Geochem Health 40, 1609–1627 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0075-2

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