Title: Potential health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with sediment and seafood from a Ramsar site

Authors: D.S. Jyethi; P.S. Khillare

Addresses: School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; Indian Statistical Institute, North East Centre, Tezpur 784028, Assam, India ' School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India

Abstract: Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in sediments and edible biota from Chilika, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia. Mean PAH level in sediments was 13,674 ng/g dry weight, higher than reported studies from the region. High molecular weight species dominated total PAH profile indicating pyrolytic origin. Assessment of sediment associated individual PAHs effect on aquatic organisms of the lagoon revealed all the compounds, except naphthalene and anthracene, to be present above the lower range of concentrations related to toxicity. Risk quotient of PAHs revealed that Acenaphthene, Fluorene and Dibenz[a,h]anthracene require priority management concerns. PAH levels in crabs and prawns were 394.4 and 153.0 ng/g d.w., higher than reported studies. BaP_eq concentrations were 42.9 and 15.2 ng/g d.w. in crabs and prawns respectively. Carcinogenic PAHs accounted for 33.5% to the total PAHs in edible biota but consumption can be considered safe with respect to lifetime excess cancer risk guidelines.

Keywords: Chilika lagoon; sediments; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; PAHs; mud crab; prawn; health risk assessment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2019.098901

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2019 Vol.18 No.1, pp.71 - 85

Received: 07 Aug 2017
Accepted: 25 Aug 2018
Published online: 09 Apr 2019 *

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