HPLC determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the littoral urban sewage area of cortiou (Marseille, France)

Abstract

A selective method for determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments using solid‐phase extraction and RP‐HPLC with fluorescence and UV detection is described. The complete analytical method is used to surface sediments from the creek of Cortiou (France). Sewage from the urban area of Marseille is delivered to the creek. PAH levels in sediments (µg/g) range between 2.251 µg/g (for the benzo(a)anthracene) and < 0.001 µg/g. The flux of pollution provided by the outfall is preferentially oriented from East to West by the Liguro‐Provenalcal current. The significant values are mainly confined on a perimeter of 2 km around the outfall. The phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene ratios indicate pyrolytic and petrogenic contamination. The particulate size observations concerning the sediments show that oxygenated sandy zones, where eliminating mechanisms (desorption, biodegradation) take place, are mainly located on the Chêvres plateau and around Jarre, Plane and Riou Islands.