Historical inputs of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the preserved tropical estuary of the Itapicuru River, Bahia, Brazil.

The aim of present study was to evaluate temporal changes in the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the estuary of the Itapicuru (Brazil). A sediment core was sampled in the study area. Concentrations of the 16 priority PAHs were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometry.