PAHs contamination in ports: Status, sources and risks

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute important organic contaminants that have been degrading coastal ecosystems over the years. Evaluating PAH status in port ecosystems aligns with societal goals of maintaining clean habitats and sustainability. This comprehensive review systematically analyzed 123 articles, exploring the global distribution, sources, and ecological risks linked to PAH contamination in ports, focusing on water, sediment, and biota. The mean concentrations of 16 PAHs in water, sediment, and biota across worldwide ports were 175.63 ± 178.37 ng/L, 1592.65 ± 1836.5 μg/kg, and 268.47 ± 235.84 μg/kg, respectively. In line with PAH emissions and use in Asia, Asian ports had the highest PAH concentrations for water and biota, while African ports had the highest PAH concentrations for sediment. The temporal trend in PAH accumulation in sediments globally suggests stability. However, PAH concentrations in water and biota of global ports exhibit increasing trends, signaling aggravating PAH contamination within port aquatic ecosystems. Some ports exhibited elevated PAH levels, particularly in sediments with 4.5 %, 9.5 %, and 21 % of the ports categorized as very poor, poor, and moderate quality. Some PAH isomers exceeded guidelines, including the carcinogenic Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Coal, biomass, and petroleum combustion were major sources for PAHs. The structure of ports significantly influences the concentrations of PAHs. PAH concentrations in sediments of semi-enclosed ports were 3.5 times higher than those in open ports, while PAH concentrations in water and biota of semi-enclosed ports were lower than those in open ports. Finally, risk analyses conducted through Monte Carlo simulation indicated moderate to high risks to aquatic species, with probabilities of 74.8 % in water and 34.4 % in sediments of ports worldwide. This review underscores the imperative to delve deeper into the accumulation of PAHs and similar pollutants in ports for effective management and environmental protection.

Keywords: Biota; Ecological risk; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Port; Sediment; Water.