Assessment of native and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments and mussels (Mytilus spp.) in the southern Baltic Sea

Native and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in whole and fine grained (F < 63 μm) sediment fractions and mussels in the southern Baltic Sea. Both sediments and mussels showed spatial differences in PAH levels and profiles. In whole sediments, mean concentrations of Σ16PAHs, ΣaPAHs, and ΣPAHs reached up to 1537, 415, and 1952 ng g−1 dry weight (dw), respectively, and in mussels they reached up to 235, 143, and 325 ng g−1 dw, respectively, depending on location. ΣaPAHs made up to 36% of ΣPAHs in whole sediments and up to 55% in some mussels in the Gulf of Gdansk. The association of PAHs with the sediment F < 63 μm differed depending on the PAH compound and season. Analysis of PAH sources was done using PCA and the ratios of specific compound concentrations. The sediment and mussel PAH levels evaluated against environmental quality criteria indicated no risk related to PAH occurrence in the study area.