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

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. BaPeq 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.