Concentration, distribution and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Poxim River sediments, Brazil

The individual concentrations, total amount and sources of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in sediments collected along of the Poxim River, Aracaju, Brazil, were for the first time determined. The ΣPAH ranged between 2.2±1.5ngg−1 and 28.4±6.9ngg−1, with a mean value of 14.4±9.3ngg−1. The Pearson correlation test and Principal component analysis (PCA) were used to assess the correlation between the PAH, organic matter and grain size; and to differentiate the sampling stations. Diagnostic ratios presented predominance of pyrogenic sources. Therefore, the PAH quantified showed the influence of anthropogenic activities near of the Poxim River. •Distribution and source apportionment of 16 PAH in the Poxim River sediments were for the first time accessed.•The PAH input to the sediments was found to be mainly from pyrogenic sources.•Low values for ΣPAH may be attributed to the negative correlations between the pH, organic matter (%OM) and grain size (%mud).•5–6 rings PAH were dominant in the sediments.