Persistent and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the north-western coastal marine environment of India

The carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting PAHs were investigated in surface water of the north-western creeks of India. The concentrations of Sigma PAHs were found to vary in the range of 114.32-347.04 mu g L-1, (mean 224.78 +/- 8.85 mu g L-1), out of which 49.12% contribution is due to Sigma C-PAHs. The assessment of toxicity and biological risk arising due to individual C-PAHs was made by calculating their toxic equivalent quantity. The level of individual C-PAHs was reported exceeding the final chronic values, Canadian water quality guideline values and Netherlands maximum permissible concentration values set for the protection of aquatic life. The mean BaP concentration (10.32 +/- 2.75 mu g L-1) was above the European Directive 2008/105/EC Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) value; while the sum of BkF + BbF (26.76 mu g L-1) and BghiP + InP (19.59 mu g L-1) were significantly higher than that set by the EQS. The results of the present study will help in understanding the global distribution and fate of PAHs which is required for implementing the necessary steps towards mitigation of the ecotoxicological risk arising due to the existence of such contaminants in the aquatic environment across the world.