Distribution and Source of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Aquatic Species of Iraqi Marine Waters

This work was carried out to assess the levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) in selected fish species. Concentrations of PAHs were determined in edible tissues of (Nemipterus japonicas, Cynoglossus arel and pomadasys maculatus). PAHs levels in the samples were measured by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The present article, the distribution and sources of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in three fish species were collected from Iraqi marine waters during 2016 were investigated. The concentrations of PAHs ranged from 21.879 to 141.561 ng/g (dry weight) The concentrations of PAHs in this study were higher in the winter season. The results showed that the contamination is more likely occurred as a result of their ingesting contaminated material than direct body exposure to oil residues in the water column. The ratios of The LMW/HMW anthracene/ (anthracene + phenanthrene) and fluoranthene/ (fluoranthene + pyrene) ratios indicated that the source of PAHs compounds was mainly pyrogenic and petrogenic. reflected a pattern of both pyrolytic and petrogenic input of PAHs in. PAHs ranged from a relatively moderate to high PAHs pollution compared to other urbanized coastal areas worldwide. The studied area received their PAHs from both petrogenic and pyrogenic sources, although petroleum derived PAHs were dominant at the stations situated near the refinery processes and pyrolytic sources were mainly prevalent in the drainage