Origin, toxicological and narcotic potential of sedimentary PAHs and remarkable even/odd n-alkane predominance in Bushehr Peninsula, the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Surface sediments (n=17) were collected from 6 sites located in the coasts of the Bushehr Peninsula. ∑₁₆PAH concentrations were in the range of 285.9-1288ngg^-1 dw and the sediments were moderately polluted. Py, Ph, B(a)A and Flu showed >70% of the detected values in order of the mentioned rank. 4-ring PAHs were the dominant compounds and the molecular ratios presented the dominant pyrolytic source. The toxicity of PAHs for sediment dwelling life was averagely equivalent to occurrence of 0.08ngg^-1 of Dioxin in dw of the examined sediments. The evaluated narcotic potential (confidence level of 99%) was 0.027-3.04 and upper part of the Bushehr Peninsula, where the human population is more concentrated, showed more narcotic potential. ∑n-alkane concentrations (n-C₁₅-n-C₃₂) were in the range of 3.10-35.6μgg^-1 dw. The dominant distribution of even carbon number n-alkanes was traced back to a possibly autochthonous source.

Keywords: Bushehr Peninsula; Narcotic potential; PAHs; Sediment; n-Alkanes.