Identification of the Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments from the Romanian Black Sea Sector

The objective of the study was to determine the concentration of total PAHs and to identify the potential sources of contamination in sediments from the Romanian Black Sea sector. Sixteen priority polycyclic hydrocarbons were identified and determined quantitatively in samples of sediment collected from marine areas (depths over 20 m) from the 12 stations located between Sulina and Mangalia, during 2011-2012. The total concentration of ∑16 PAHs ranged from 82 to 6,983 (g/kg) dry weight in sediments. The ratios of specific PAH compound including low molecular weight/high molecular weight, phenanthrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/(fluoranthene plus pyrene), anthracene/(anthracene plus phenanthrene), indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene/(indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene plus benzo(g, h, i)perylene) were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAHs emission into environment. These ratios reflect pyrolitic inputs in Romanian sediments.