Origin and Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Mediterranean Mussels (Mytilus Galloprovincialis, Lamarck, 1819) of the Turkish Straits System

ABSTRACT

The distribution of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in the coast of the Turkish Straits System (TSS) was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). According to the results, the most important contributors to PAH concentrations in mussels were chrysene, fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Due to its carcinogenic character, BaP is known as one of the most significant congeners of PAHs and the highest concentration of BaP has been found to be 8 µg g⁻¹ in Kadıköy station. The most polluted mussels were collected from the regions affected by shipping activities such as Kadıköy, Kumkapı and Tekirdağ. In this study, origins of pollution were determined using the ratios of individual PAH compounds. The main pollution origin is found as both pyrolytic and petrogenic at most stations.

KEYWORDS:

• Human health
• molecular ratios
• PAH origin
• pollution
• Turkish Straits System (TSS)

Funding

This research has been supported by Istanbul University Scientific Research Unit with the project number of 17198. The authors also thank Dr. Selçuk Köksal for statistical analysis.