Analysis for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Thermaikos gulf, Greece

The Thermaikos Gulf area is suspected of being contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. A total of 57 samples were analyzed as follows: 29 from the western area (industrial) and 28 from the eastern area (agricultural) of the Gulf. All samples examined were found to be contaminated. The levels detected ranged from trace to 13 ng/g (wet weight, drained). Seven of the samples examined contained benzo(a)pyrene at an average level of 1 ng/g. Dibenzo(a,i)pyrene was found at trace levels in a small proportion of samples. Another compound, benzo(a)anthracene, was found in 19 samples at concentrations ranging from 2 ng/g to 42 ng/g. Dibenzo(a,h)pyrene was not found in any of the samples analyzed. On the basis of the above data, the concentration of total PAH in mussels of the Thermaikos Gulf amounted to 91 ng/g (wet weight) and those of the carcinogenic PAH counted to 19 ng/g. (JMT)