Correlation of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Environmental Components in Sediment from Hirakata Bay, Japan

Abstract

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) including fluoranthene, pyrene, 1, 2-benzan-thracene, chrysene, 3, 4-benzpyrene (1, 2-benzpyrene) and 1, 12-benzperylene, were identified in sediments from Hirakata Bay. Their concentrations were proved to be in the range from several hundred μg/kg to several mg/kg of dry samples.
Significant positive correlations were statistically found between total amount of PAH and Pb, Hg, Cd, Cu, Zn and ignition loss in bay sediment. In addition, significant positive correlations were statistically found between ignition loss and the content of clay as well as the sum of (clay+silt) contents for both river and bay sediments. Based on the fact, it is presumed that organic substances in sediments are present in an adsorbed form to clay and silt.