Estimation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Pollution in Mediterranean Sea from Volturno River, Southern Italy: Distribution, Risk Assessment and Loads

Paolo Montuori, Elvira De Rosa, Fabiana Di Duca, Donatella Paola Provvisiero, Pasquale Sarnacchiaro, Antonio Nardone and Maria Triassi
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Paolo Montuori: Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Elvira De Rosa: Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Fabiana Di Duca: Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Donatella Paola Provvisiero: Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Pasquale Sarnacchiaro: Department of Law and Economics, University of Roma “Unitelma Sapienza”, Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
Antonio Nardone: Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Maria Triassi: Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: This study reports the data on the contamination caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) drained from the Volturno River. The seasonal and spatial distribution of PAHs in water and sediment samples was assessed. The 16 PAHs were determined in the water dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediments. A multidimensional statistical approach was used to identify three pollution composite indicators. Contaminant discharges of PAHs into the sea were calculated in about 3158.2 kg/year. Total concentrations of PAHs varied in ranges 434.8 to 872.1 ng g ?1 and 256.7 to 1686.3 ng L ?1 in sediment samples and in water (DP + SPM), respectively. The statistical results indicated that the PAHs mainly had a pyrolytic source. Considering the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the water environmental quality standards (USEPA EQS), and risk quotient (RQ), the Volturno River would be considered as an area in which the environmental integrity is possibly at risk.

Keywords: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Volturno River; composite indicator; contaminant loads; risk assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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