First evidence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from a marine protected area within Argentinean Continental Shelf

This study evaluated for the first time, the distribution, sources, and ecological risk assessment of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments collected along the northern Patagonian shelf in the Argentine Sea –included in a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Total concentration of the PAHs varied from 19.47 to 183.17 ng/g dry weight and low molecular weight compounds, such as Anthracene and Naphthalene were the dominants. The selected PAHs ratios suggested a predominance of petrogenic sources and ecotoxicological risk evaluation based on the sediment quality guidelines model, indicated that some PAHs might cause occasional adverse biological effects in the study area. •Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from a Marine Protected Area•Low molecular weight PAHs were the dominants.•Ecotoxicological risk assessment was assessed using sediment quality guidelines.