Baseline concentrations and distributions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in surface sediments from the Qatar marine environment.

Coastal sediments in marine waters of Qatar have the potential of being contaminated by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to extensive petroleum exploration and transportation activities within Qatar's Marine Exclusive Economic Zone. In this study, the concentration and distribution of sixteen PAHs classed as USEPA priority pollutants were measured in sediments from the eastern Qatari coast. PAHs were recovered from sediments via accelerated solvent extraction and then analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.