Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal waters of the Timor Sea

Abstract

3 Arafura Timor Sea Expert Forum (ATSEF) Secretariat, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Indonesia Received 29 October 2010; Accepted 30 June 2011 Abstract — Studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was carried out during Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) Cruise on 10-16 May 2010. The objective of the study was to determine the concentration of total PAHs and to identify the potential source of contamination in the Timor Sea. Fifteen priority PAHs based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) were analyzed at the Research Center for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (RCO-LIPI) laboratory from 12 stations along the coastal waters of the Timor Island. Our study showed that total concentration of PAHs ranged from 54.5 to 213.7 mg/l with an average of 99.8 mg/l in seawaters, and ranged from 23.6 to 24.5 mg/kg dry weight (dw) in sediments. Poten- tial sources of PAHs at Timor Sea came from petroleum, petroleum combustion, and organic material combustion.