Tributyltin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in Mobile Bay, Alabama: a review

Abstract

A review of the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and tributyltin (TBT) in sediments from Mobile Bay, Alabama, shows that overall levels of PAH decrease from the upper bay (RI) to the lower bay (RIV). Analysis of PAH ratios indicate that pyrogenic sources such as fossil fuel combustion are dominant. There are so few data on TBT in sediments that spatial trends cannot be identified. Levels of PAHs in oyster tissues decrease from the upper bay (RI) to the lower bay (RIII). Although there is no significant temporal trend for PAH levels in bivalves for the US; in the bay, levels in Region II (RII) have decreased significantly and are currently below the national median. There is no trend in Region III (RIII), where levels remain below RII and the national median. RI and RIV had too few data for trend analysis. Mean levels of TBT in oyster tissues decrease from the upper bay (RI) to the lower bay (RIII). Temporal trend analysis indicates a significant decreasing trend for TBT in the US but no significant trend was detected for RII and RIII in Mobile Bay. TBT levels in RII are consistently higher than levels in the US and RIII, which are similar. Data from RI are too limited for analysis and there are no data for RIV.