Seasonal dynamics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in microplankton from Kaohsiung Harbor (Taiwan Strait, northeastern South China Sea).

Mar Pollut Bull

Sustainable Environment Research Center, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Published: September 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • * PAHs levels in microplankton ranged significantly, peaking in spring, with a notable spatial distribution, indicating higher concentrations in the southern regions of the studied area.
  • * There is a strong correlation between PAHs and environmental factors, notably in colder seasons and areas with lower salinity, highlighting the role of suspended matter and plankton in PAH transport and distribution.

Article Abstract

The impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the marine food web is crucially understudied in the primary trophic system. We evaluated the seasonal dynamics of PAHs in microplankton in a polluted environment (Taiwan), northeastern South China Sea. Replicate size-fractionated microplankton (55-1000 μm) were freeze-dried, and PAHs were extracted with a 1:1 v/v ratio of acetone: n-hexane, then analyzed using GC-MS. Total PAHs ranged between 68 and 2548 ng/g dw in microplankton, greatest during spring (130-2548 ng/g), followed by autumn (135-772 ng/g) and summer (44-423 ng/g). Spatial distribution varied through seasons but was higher in the southern part (S6 > S4 > S5 > S2 > S3 > S1 > S7), dominated by higher-ring PAHs from mixed pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. PAHs are significantly correlated with environmental factors, especially in colder seasons and lower salinity areas. Suspended matter and plankton influenced PAH transport and partitioning seasonally. Plankton's PAHs seasonal changes and environmental influences are revealed in an anthropic environment.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116759DOI Listing

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