Environmental Fate of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments in Nagoya Port

A high concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exceeding the guideline value in US was observed in sediments in Nagoya port. The horizontal distribution of the concentrations of PAHs in the sediments was different from that of organic contents, and was affected by point sources and runoff events judging from the concentrations and compositions of PAHs. The concentration of heavier PAHs dissolved in pore water was higher that the estimated from the equilibrium with the concentration in soil. The heavier PAHs were estimated to be released from sediments to seawater because their concentration in pore water was higher than their dissolved concentration in overlying water.