Spatial distribution, sources identification, and health risk assessment polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds and polychlorinated biphenyl compounds in total suspended particulates (TSP) in the air of South Pars Industrial region-Iran.

South Pars Industrial Energy Zone, located in the southwest of Iran along the Persian Gulf coast, encompasses many industrial units in the vicinity of urban areas. This research study investigated the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on human health and the environment. Suspended particulate matters (SPM) in the air sampled, in summer and winter 2019, from ten stations next to industrial units and residential areas. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Spatial distribution maps of pollutants in the region were prepared using GIS software. The highest carcinogenic risk due to PAHs and PCBs measured as ([Formula: see text]) and ([Formula: see text], respectively. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency limit ([Formula: see text]), the cancer risks from PAH compounds were significant and need further investigation. The PCB cancer risks were within acceptable ranges. The highest adsorption ratios for PAHs were obtained through skin and PCBs by ingestion. The maximum measured non-carcinogenic hazard indexes (HI) turned out to be 0.037 and 0.023 for PAH and PCB, respectively, and were reported as acceptable risks. The predominant source of PAH in industrial areas was liquid fossil combustion, and in urban areas replaced by coal-wood-sugarcane combustion. Petrochemical complexes, flares, power plants (69%), electric waste disposal sites, and commercial pigments (31%) were reported as PCB sources. Industries activities were the most effective factors in producing the highest level of carcinogenic compounds in the region, and it is necessary to include essential measures in the reform programs.

Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in sediment and fish along the Persian Gulf-a case study: Bushehr Province, Iran.

Microplastics (MPs) contamination in the marine environment is a global threat. The present study is the first to comprehensively investigate the MPs contamination in the marine environment in Bushehr province along the Persian Gulf. For this purpose, 16 stations were selected along the coast and 10 fish samples were collected. The results obtained from MPs in sediment samples indicate the mean abundance of MPs in different sediment samples was 57.19 Particles/Kg. The dominant MPs color in sediment samples was black, accounting for 47.54%, followed by white (36.07%). As for MPs in fish, the highest MPs digested in different fish samples were 9. In addition, over 83.3% of MPs observed in fishes were black followed by red and blue (6.67%). Overall, the presence of MPs in fish and sediment can be attributed to improper disposal of industrial effluents; an efficient measurement is required in order to improve the quality of the marine environment.

Distribution, source finding, ecological hazard assessment, and water-sediment exchange rate of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in South Pars Industrial Zone, Iran.

South Pars Industrial Zone is located near an Assaluyeh city on the coast of the Persian Gulf and is known as the energy capital of Iran. In this study, environmental and health effects due to PCB congeners had an assessment. In this study, 10 air stations, 10 seawater, and sediments stations were systematically selected and sampled in two seasons. Air, seawater, and sediment pollution made by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were evaluated. Seawater-sediment exchange conditions using the fugacity coefficient reviewed. PCB levels in marine sediments, seawater, and air based on the analysis of the obtained data were 107.33-172.92 ng/g, ND-135.68 ng/L, and ND-4.4 ng/m3, respectively. The highest concentration was observed in the vicinity of refineries, petrochemicals, and petroleum export facilities. These values had increased significantly compared to values of studies, conducted in similar areas. The sources were electrical wastes, storage sites, power generation units, and wastewater treatment. The ecological risk of seawater was assessed to be low to high, while sediment risks were reported with a low to moderate risk range. In 70% of the stations, the predominant transfer was from sediments to seawater; sediments were in fact the secondary source of seawater pollution. It is suggested for the area to be continuously monitored, while engineering and management measures should be adopted to improve the situation and also prevent the spread of pollution.

An extensive investigation on human risk associated with PAHs in fish and sediment in Bushehr, Northern of Persian Gulf.

Here, a comprehensive study was designed to estimate the human risk assessment attributed to exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)in sediment and fish in most polluted shore area in north of Persian Gulf. To this end, a total of 20 sediment and inhabitual Fish, as one of most commercial fish, samples were randomly collected from 20 different stations along Bushehr Province coastline. The 16 different components of PAHs were extracted from sediment and edible parts of inhabitual fish and measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. In addition, dietary daily intake (DDI) values of PAHs via ingestion Indian halibut and the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) attributed to human exposure to sediments PAHs via (a) inhalation, (b) ingestion, and (c) dermal contact for two groups of ages: children (1-11 years) and adults (18-70 years) were estimated. The results indicated that all individual PAHs except for Benzo(b)flouranthene (BbF) and Benzo(ghi) perylene (BgP) were detected in different sediment sample throughout the study area with average concentration between 2.275 ± 4.993 mg.kg-1 dw. Furthermore, Naphthalene (Nap) with highest average concentration of 3.906 ± 3.039 mg.kg-1 dw was measured at the Indian halibut. In addition, the human risk analysis indicated that excess cancer risk (ECR) attributed to PAHs in sediment and fish in Asaluyeh with high industrial activities on oil and derivatives were higher the value recommended by USEPA (10-6). Therefore, a comprehensive analysis on spatial distribution and human risk assessment of PAHs in sediment and fish can improve the awareness on environmental threat in order to aid authorities and decision maker to find a sustainable solution.