Occurrence, source estimation, and risk assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in coastal seawaters from the Quintero Industrial Complex (Valparaíso, Chile)

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 878; p. 162957
• Main Authors: Galbán-Malagón, C.J., Zapata, J., Perez-Venegas, D.J., Vargas, R., Latorre-Padilla, N., Luarte, T., Ahrendt, C., Hirmas-Olivares, A., Gómez-Aburto, V., Tapia, P., Isamit, V., Arce, P., Sánchez, C., Pozo, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 20-06-2023
• Subjects: Ecosystem health; Human impacts; Molecular ratios; One health; PAHs source appointment; Human impacts; Molecular ratios; One health; Ecosystem health; PAHs source appointment
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162957

In the 1960s, the Quintero industrial complex was inaugurated in Chile. This began a history of dramatic anthropogenic impacts on the Chilean coast. Among the known, we could mention high atmospheric emissions of chemicals due to combustion processes and frequent oil spills. For this reason, we surveyed the concentrations of fifteen EPAPAHs in the surface coastal waters of the Quintero Bay area in 2015. The levels found are in the range of the highest levels when reviewing the literature (0.97 μg L−1 up to 9.84 μg L−1). The highest levels were found in the vicinity of the industrial complex and decreased in the other two zones. The concentration of individual compounds significantly exceeds the levels recommended by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the EU water framework directive (WFD). The risk estimations revealed that PAH concentrations represent high-risk for wildlife. Molecular ratios of PAHs were used to identify the possible sources, being these were mainly of pyrogenic origin, agreeing with an origin in the combustion of wood, coal, grass, and fossil fuels. This study contributes to the first data for surface water in a country's highly impacted industrial coastal area.
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•Surface seawater concentrations of PAHs were surveyed in three sites influenced by the Industrial complex of Quintero (Chile).•Concentrations reported were in the upper range of the reported bibliography•Source appointment using molecular ratios revealed pyrogenic origin and mainly from combustion processes of fuel, coal and wood.•The levels found in the study area exceed international quality guidelines for compounds that follow some type of regulation.