In order to assess contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), surface sediments and marine organism samples of fish, shrimp and shellfish were collected from the Dapeng Bay, Shenzhen in October 2011. Concentrations fof sixteen priority PAHs were determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The total concentrations of PAHs (Sigma PAHs ) ranged from 216. 56 ng.g-1 to 1 314. 92 ng.g-1 dry weight in sediment samples and from 70. 88 ng.g-1 to 251.90 ng.g-1 wet weight in biological samples, respectively. The mean concentration was the highest in fish (171.52 ng.g-1 ), followed by mussel (134.75 ng.g-1) and shrimp (123.35 ng.g-1) in the studied marine organisms. Compared with those in other water bodies around the world, PAHs pollution in the studied area was at medium level. The dominant fraction in the surface sediments was the 4-ring PAHs. Identification of PAH sources suggested that PAHs in Dapeng Bay were likely originated from both pyrolytic and petrogenic sources. The most abundant PAHs were 3-ring PAHs in the tissues of organisms, which may be governed by their feeding behaviors, habitats, and bioavailability of PAHs. Ecological risk assessment indicated that PAHs in surface sediments might have adverse impacts on local ecosystem. Health risk analysis revealed that the potency equivalent concentrations of BaP to the total PAHs in marine organisms from Dapeng Bay were relatively high and may cause some concerns on human health by consumption.
Animals Bays