Natural and anthropogenic particulate-bound aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface waters of the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia, southern Mediterranean Sea)
Abstract
Particulate-bound aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs and PAHs) were investigated in the surface waters of the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia, southern Mediterranean Sea). Samples were collected off the Sfax and Gabès-Ghannouch coasts. Concentrations in total resolved n-alkanes ranged from 0.03 to 3.2 μg L−1, and concentrations in total parents + alkylated PAHs ranged from bdl to 108.6 ng L−1. The highest concentrations were recorded in the southern Sfax. AHs were mainly of biogenic origin with odd n-alkane predominance, although an anthropogenic contribution was also detected. The PAH molecular patterns revealed a mixed origin with the presence of low molecular weight and alkylated compounds, characteristic of uncombusted oil-derived products, and the presence of high molecular weight compounds, typical of combustion residues. Rainfall events induced an increase in PAH concentrations by a factor 1.5–23.5. The particle-water partition coefficients (Koc) suggest that the partitioning of PAHs between the particulate and dissolved phases is driven by hydrophobicity and organic matter composition.
Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-017-0641-7
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0641-7
Keeping up-to-date with research can feel impossible, with papers being published faster than you'll ever be able to read them. That's where Researcher comes in: we're simplifying discovery and making important discussions happen. With over 19,000 sources, including peer-reviewed journals, preprints, blogs, universities, podcasts and Live events across 10 research areas, you'll never miss what's important to you. It's like social media, but better. Oh, and we should mention - it's free.
Researcher displays publicly available abstracts and doesn’t host any full article content. If the content is open access, we will direct clicks from the abstracts to the publisher website and display the PDF copy on our platform. Clicks to view the full text will be directed to the publisher website, where only users with subscriptions or access through their institution are able to view the full article.