Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sardabroud protected river sediments of Mazandaran province

The purpose of this study is to determine the concentration and distribution of cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the origin of these compounds in the protected river Sardabrood in Mazandaran province. Sampling of surface sediments of the riverbed was done from different stations (Karimabad, Gil Kola, Abbas Kola and the estuary of Sardabroud). To extract and analyze PAH compounds, by Soxhlet method, column chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed in two stages. The highest total amount compounds was observed in the estuary 109.89 17 173.40 ng.g-1 and the lowest concentration in Karimabad station ng.g-1 of 141.39 ± 42.22 ng. The trend of accumulation of PAH in sediments showed that from upstream to downstream PAH concentration increases. Determining the origin of compounds in sediments using isomeric diagnostic ratios showed that PAH are mainly a mixture of petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. Surface sediments are in the average level of pollution in terms of polyaromatic hydrocarbon concentration according to NOAA sediment quality guidelines. The presence of a sand factory along the river, the entry of agricultural effluents into the surrounding fields, increased urbanization; car traffic and the relatively high amount of rainfall and urban runoff have caused the pollution of aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in the river sediments.