PAHs, PCBs and Chlorinated Pesticides in Mediterraneal Coastal Sediments

Abstract

Abstract Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls have been identified and determined in coastal sediments by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after Soxhlet extraction with a petroleum ether-acetone mixture. Samples collected in three different areas along the Italian coast were analyzed and consistently different concentrations were found for the three locations. Possible sources of pollution have been investigated and identified.