Abundance and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of the Mahakam River

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the abundance and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Mahakam River, Indonesia. Physicochemical analysis of sediment quality parameters revealed that the values for pH, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, and oil/grease in the sediments were higher than the recommended limits prescribed by the WHO. Among all PAHs, BaA (402.1 ng/g), Pyr (352.4 ng/g), and Flua (302.7 ng/g) were found in the highest concentration, whereas BaP was found in the least concentration in the range of ND-9.2 ng/g (mean 3.35 ng/g) in sediments. Sampling site S2 was the site with the highest concentration of the total PAHs (all 16 PAHs) as compared to the other sampling sites because of their location in a highly populated urban and suburban area that has commercial activities, residence, and heavyweight industries such as wood industry, shipbuilding, and interisland port.