Distribution of PAHs in the water column, sediments and biota of Potter Cove, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

• Published in: Antarctic science Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 329 - 339
• Main Authors: Curtosi, Antonio, Pelletier, Emilien, Vodopivez, Cristian L., Mac Cormack, Walter P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2009
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biota; Bivalvia; Contaminants; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastropoda; Gonads; Laternula elliptica; Low temperature; Marine; Marine and brackish environment; Marine fish; Marine organisms; Mollusks; Nacella concinna; Naphthalene; Natural water pollution; Notothenia coriiceps; Particulate matter; Phenanthrene; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Seawaters, estuaries; Sediments; Shellfish; Water circulation; Water column; Water treatment and pollution; Antarctic Islands; South Shetland Islands; Scotia Sea; Bransfield Strait; Antarctic Ocean; Scotia Sea Islands; King George Island; Antarctica, South Shetland Is; PSW, Antarctica, South Shetland Is., King George I., Potter Cove; sediment contamination; marine pollution; Jubany Station; aromatic hydrocarbons; PAHs in biota; Marine sediments; Gastropoda; Marine environment; Persistent organic pollutant; Bivalvia; Pisces; Geogenic factor; Organic compounds; Seawater; Anthropogenic factor; Hydrocarbon; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Suspended particle; Vertebrata; Environment impact; Pollution source; Water pollution; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Biological accumulation
• ISSN: 0954-1020; 1365-2079
• DOI: 10.1017/S0954102009002004

In order to establish the environmental status of areas close to Antarctic stations it is necessary to document levels of contaminants present in these sites. Several petrogenic and pyrogenic sources have been reported for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Antarctica. In this work, levels of 25 PAHs were measured in suspended particulate matter (SPM), surface sediment and marine organisms (fish Notothenia coriiceps, bivalve Laternula elliptica and gastropod Nacella concinna) from Potter Cove. Total PAH levels from SPM were low and similar in all sites studied (30–82 ng g-1 dw), phenanthrene being the dominant compound (68–84%). The exception was an area close to the wharf where significantly higher values of light PAHs such as naphthalene, acenaphthylene, 2,3,5-trimethylnaphthalene and fluorene were detected, indicating the influence of recent fuel spills. PAH concentrations in surface sediments were generally low (37–252 ng g-1 dw) except for two sites (1762 and 1908 ng g-1 dw) which suggested an accumulation process associated with the water circulation pattern. Liver tissue of N coriiceps presented significantly higher PAH levels (257 ng g-1 dw) compared with gonads. The pattern of individual compounds from substrates and organisms suggests a petrogenic and low-temperature combustion origin.