ABSTRACT
Surface sediments were sampled seasonally along the Samsun coastline to assess the source, distribution, and ecological risk of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total PAHs levels, varied between 71.64 and 1186.87 ng g-1 with the mean of 295.79 ng g-1, were consistent with sediment studies worldwide. Diagnosis rates revealed that PAHs in sediments along the Samsun coastline are primarily sourced from biomass, coal and petroleum combustion and petroleum at lesser extent. The three-ring PAHs (34.9 %) were proportionally high, followed by 4-ring PAHs (25 %). Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), administered to evaluate biological effects of individual PAH, indicated adverse biological effects (≥TEL and < PEL) seasonally in some stations. With respect to the risk quotient, the risk arisen by PAHs in the coastal sediments of Samsun found to be moderate to high ecological risk.