Spatial and temporal distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago

The concentrations of 23 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; 16 parent and 7 alkylated PAHs) were determined in 113 surface marine sediment samples, 13 on-land sediment samples and 8 subsampled push cores retrieved from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA). PAHs were extracted via accelerated solvent extraction and quantified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The sums of the concentrations of 16 priority PAHs in the surface sediments ranged from 7.8 to 247.7 ng g-1 (dry weight basis, dw). The PAH inputs to the sediments have remained constant during the last century. Source-diagnostic ratios and statistical analysis suggest that the PAHs in the CAA mainly originate from natural petrogenic sources, with some pyrogenic sources. Temporal trends did not indicate major source shifts and largely indicated petrogenic inputs. Overall, the sediments retrieved from the CAA have low PAH concentrations, which indicates a low ecological risk for benthic or other organisms living near the water-sediment interface. •The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in Canadian Arctic sediments are low.•The PAHs showed low ecological risk in sediments from the Canadian Arctic.•The PAH input to sediments has remained constant throughout the last century.•The PAHs in Canadian Arctic sediments mainly originate from natural sources.