Abstract
A detailed analytical study using combined normal phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish from the Red Sea was undertaken. This investigation involves a preliminary assessment of the sixteen parent compounds issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The study revealed measurable levels of S PAHs (the sum of three to five or six ring parent compounds) (49.2 ng g−1 dry weight) and total PAHs (all PAH detected) (422.1 ng g−1 dry weight) in edible muscle of fishes collected from the Red Sea. These concentrations are within the range of values reported for other comparable regions of the world. Mean concentrations for individual parent PAH in fish muscles were; naphthalene 19.5, biphenyl 4.6, acenaphthylene 1.0, acenaphthene 1.2, fluorene 5.5, phenanthrene 14.0, anthracene 0.8, fluoranthene 1.5, pyrene 1.8, benz(a)anthracene 0.4, chrysene 1.9, benzo(b)fluoranthene 0.5, benzo(k)fluoranthene 0.5, benzo(e)pyrene 0.9, benzo(a)pyrene 0.5, perylene 0.2, and indenol(l,2,3-cd)pyrene 0.1 ng g−1 dry weight respectively. The Red Sea fish extracts exhibit the low molecular weight aromatics as well as the discernible alkyl-substituted species of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene and dibenzothiophene. Thus, it was suggested that the most probable source of PAHs is oil contamination originating from spillages and/or heavy ship traffic.
It is concluded that the presence of PAHs in the fish muscles is not responsible for the reported fish kill phenomenon. However, the high concentrations of carcinogenic chrysene encountered in these fishes should be considered seriously as it is hazardous to human health. Based on fish consumption by Yemeni’s population it was calculated that the daily intake of total carcinogens were 0.15 μg/person/day.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Ahokas, J. T. & O. Pelkonen, 1984. Metabolic activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by fish liver cytochromeP-450. Mar. envir. Res. 14: 59–69.
Al-Yakoob, S., T. Saeed & H. Al-Hashash, 1993. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible tissue offish from the Gulf after the 1991 oil spill. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 27: 297–301.
Blumer, M. & W. W. Youngblood, 1975. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and recent sediments. Science 188: 53–55.
Bouloubassi, J. & A. Saliot, 1991. Composition and sources of dissolved and particulate PAH in surface waters from the Rhone Delta (NW Mediterranean). Mar. Pollut. Bull. 22: 588–594.
Bouloubassi, J. & A. Saliot, 1993. Investigation of anthropogenic and natural organic inputs in estuarine sediments using hydrocarbon markers (NAH, LAB, PAH). Oceanol. Acta 16: 145–161.
Collins, J. P., J. P. Brown, S. V. Dawson & M. A. Marty, 1991. Risk assessment for benzo(a)pyrene. Regulat, toxicol. Pharmacol. 13: 170–184.
Dennis, M. J., R. C. Massey, D. J. McWeeney & M. E. Knowles, 1983. Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in U.K. total diets. Fd. Chem. Toxic. 21: 569–574.
DeVos, R. H., V. Dokkum, A. Schouten & P. De Jong-Berkhoot, 1990. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Dutch total diet samples (1984-1986). Fd. Chem. Toxic. 28: 263–268.
DouAbul, A. A-Z., H. T. Al-Saad & S. A. Darmoian, 1984. Distribution of petroleum residues in surficial sediments from the Shatt al-Arab River and the NW region of the Arabian Gulf. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 15: 198.
DouAbul, A. A-Z., J. K. Abaychi, T. E. Al-Edanee, A. A. Ghani & H. T. Al-Saad, 1987. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish from the Arabian Gulf. Bull. envir. Contam. Toxicol. 38: 546–552.
Edwards, F. J. & S. M. Head (eds), 1987. The Red Sea Key Environment. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 441 pp.
Ehrhardt, M., 1987. Lipophilic organic material: an apparatus for extracting solids used for their concentration from seawater. ICES Techn. envir. Sci. 4: 1–14.
Ehrhardt, M. & K. A. Burns, 1993. Hydrocarbons and related photooxidation products dissolved in Saudi Arabia coastal waters and hydrocarbons in underlying sediments and bioindicator bivalves. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 27: 187–197.
Farrington, J. W. & J. G. Quinn, 1973. Petroleum hydrocarbons in Narragansett Bay. I. Survey of hydrocarbons in sediments and clams (Mercenaria mercenaria). Estuar. coast. mar. Sci. 1: 71–79.
Farrington, J. W., E. D. Goldberg, R. W. Risebrough, J. H. Martin & V. T. Bowen, 1983. US mussel watch 1976-1978: An overview of the trace metal, DDE, PCB, hydrocarbon and artificial radionuclide data. Envir. Sci. Technol. 17: 490–496.
Fazio, T. & J. W. Howard, 1983. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foods. In Bjorseth (ed.), Handbook of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, New York: 461–505.
Futoma, D. J., S. R. Smith, T. E. Smith & J. Tanaka, 1981. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water system. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
Geochemical Group Limited, 1990. A geochemical evaluation of origin of Red Sea oil slick’ safer’ area, Yemen. Prepared for Yemen Hunt Oil Company.
Gibbs, C. F., J. W. J. Wankowski, J. S. Langdon, J. D. Humphery, J. S. Andrews, P. V. Hodson, J. G. Fabris & A. P. Murray, 1986. Investigations following a fish kill in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, during February 1984. Tech. Report No. 63. Marine Science Laboratories, Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria, Australia.
Gmur, D. & U. Varanasi, 1982. Characterization of benzo(a)pyrene metabolites isolated from muscle, liver, and bile of juvenile flatfish. Carcinogenesis 3: 1397–1403.
Gooch, J. W., A. A. Elskus, P. J. Klopper-Sama, M. E. Hahn & J. J. Stegeman, 1989. Effect of ortho-and non-ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls congeners on the hepatic monooxygenase system in scup (Stenotomus chrysops). Toxicol. appl. Pharmacol. 98: 422–433.
Govers, H. A. J., 1990. Predication of environmental behaviour of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by PAR an QSAR. In W. Karcher & J. Devillers (eds), Practical Applications of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology. Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands: 411–432.
Gundlach, E. R., P. D. Boehm, M. Marchand, R. M. Atlas, D. M. Ward & D. A. Wolfe, 1983. The fate of Amoco Cadiz oil. Science 2201: 122–129.
Haskoning, 1991. Proposal for developing a coastal management plan in the Republic of Yemen. Report by Haskoning (Royal Dutch Consulting Engineers and Architects). Support to the Secretariat of the Environmental Protection Council, Yemen: 53 pp.
Herrmann, R., 1981. Transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through a partly urbanised river basin. Wat. Air Soil Pollut. 16: 455–463.
Hites, R. A., R. E. Laflamme & J. W. Farrington, 1977. Sedimentary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: the historical record. Science 198:829–831.
Hites, R. A., R. E. Laflamme & J. G. Windsor Jr., 1980. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an anoxic sediments core from the Pettaquamscutt River, USA. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 44: 873–878.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (1983) IARC Monogr. Eval. Carcinog. Risk Chem. Hum., Suppl. 7.
Jackson, T. J., T. L. Wade, T. J. McDonald, D. L. Wilkinson & J. M. Brooks, 1994. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants in oysters from the Gulf of Mexico (1986-1990). Envir. Pollut. 83:291–298.
Jones, D. M., S. J. Rowland & A. G. Douglas, 1986. An examination of the fate of Nigerian crude oil in surface sediments of the Humber estuary by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Int. J. envir. analyt. Chem. 24: 227–247.
Krahn, M. M., G. M. Ylitalo, J. Buzitis, S.-L. Chan & U. Varanasi, 1993a. Rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic methods that screen for aromatic compounds in environmental samples. J. Chromatogr. 642: 15–32.
Krahn, M. M., G. M. Ylitalo, J. Buzitis, S.-L. Chan, U. Varanasi, T. L. Wade, T. J. Jackson, J. M. Brooks, D. A. Wolfe & C.-A. Manen, 1993b. Comparison of HPLC/fluorecence screening and GC/MS analysis for aromatic compounds in sediment sampled after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Envir. Sci. Technol. 27: 699–708.
Landlot, M., D. Kaiman, A. Nevissi, K. Van Ness & F. Hafer, 1987. Potential toxicant exposure among consumers of recreationally caught fish from urban embayments of Puget Sound. NOAA Technical Memorandum, NOS OMA-33.
Literathy, P., G. Morel & A. Al-Bloushi, 1991. Environmental transformation, photolysis of fluoresing petroleum compounds in marine waters. Wat. Sci. Technol. 23: 507–516.
Losidifdou, H. G., S. D. Kilikidis & A. P. Kamarianos, 1982. Analysis for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Thermaikos Gulf, Grees. Bull, envir. Contam. Toxicol. 28: 535–541.
Malins, D. C., B. B. McCain, J. T. Landahl, M. S. Meyrs, M. M. Kahn, D. W. Brown & W. T. Roubal, 1984. Chemical pollutants in sediments and diseases of bottom dwelling fish in Puget Sound, Washington. Envir. Sci. Technol. 18: 705–713.
Mcleod, W. D., D. W. Brown, A. J. Friedman, D. G. Burrows, O. Maynes, R. W. Pearce, C. A. Wigren & R. W. Boger, 1985. Standard analytical procedures of the NOAA National Analytical Facility 1985-1986. Extractable Toxic organic compounds (2nd ed.) US Department of Commerce, NOAA/NMFS. NOAA Tech. Memo NMFS F/NWC-92.
Menzie, C. A., B. P. Bonnie & J. Santodonato, 1992. Exposure to carcinogenic PAHs in the environment. Envir. Sci. Technol. 25: 1278–1284.
Neff, J. M., 1979. Polycyclic aromatic in the aquatic environment — source, fate and biological effects. Appl. Sci. Publ. London.
Neff, J. M. & J. W. Anderson, 1981. Response of Marine Animals to Petroleum and Specific Petroleum Hydrocarbons. Appl. Sci. Publ. Ltd., London.
Nicholson, G. J., T. Theodoropoulos & G. J. Fabris, 1994. Hydrocarbons, pesticides, PCB and PAH in Port Phillip Bay (Victoria) Sand Flamead. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 28: 115–120.
Pancirov, R. & R. Brown, 1977. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine tissues. Envir. Sci. Technol. 11: 989–992.
Parker, G. J., P. Howgate, P. R. Mackie & A. S. McGill, 1990. Flavour and hydrocarbon assessment of fish from gas fields in the southern North Sea. Oil Chem. Pollut. 6: 263–277.
PERSGA, 1995. Regional programme of action for protection of the marine environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from land-base sources pollution, 30 pp.
Pritchard, J. B. & J. L. Renfro, 1984. Interactions of xenobiotics with teleost renal function. In L. J. Webber (ed.), Aquatic Toxicology, Vol. 2. Raven Press, New York: 51–106.
Rainio, K., R. R. Linko & L. Ruotsila, 1986. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mussels and fish from the Finnish archipelago sea. Bull, envir. Contam. Toxicol. 37: 337–343.
Readman, J. G., S. W. Fowler, J.-P. Villeneuve, C. Cattini, B. Oregioni & L. D. Mee, 1992. Oil and combustion-product contamination of the Gulf marine environment following the war. Nature 358: 662–664.
Readman, J. W., M. R. Preston & R. C. F. Mantoura, 1986. An itegral technique to quantify sewage oil and PAH pollution in estuarine and coastal environments. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 17: 298–308.
Rushdi, A. I., A. A. Ba’Issa & A. Ba’Bagi, 1991. Preliminary investigations of oil pollution along the Red Sea coast of Yemen. In Proceedings of the Seminar on the Status of the Environment in the Republic of Yemen: 175–186.
Santodonato, J., P. Howard & D. Basu, 1981. Health and ecological assessment of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. J. envir. Path. Toxicol., 1–376.
Sauer, T. C., J. S. Brown, P. D. Boehm, D. V. Aurand, J. Michel & M. O. Hayes, 1993Hydrocarbon characterization of itertidal and subtidal sediment of Saudi Arabia from the Gulf War oil spill. Volumme II. Marine Spill Response Corporation, Washington DC, MSRC Technical Report Series.
Schmeltz, I., J. Tosk, J. Hilfrich, N. Hirota, D. Hoffman & E. L. Wynder, 1978. Bioassay of naphthalene and alkylnephthalene for carcinogenic activity: relation to tobacco carcinogenesis. In Jones, P. W. & R. I. Freundenthal (eds), Carcinogenesis, Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Vol. 3, Raven Press, New York: 47 pp.
Takatsuki, K., S. Suzuki, N. Sato & I. Ushizawa, 1985. Liquid chromatographic determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish and shellfish. J. Ass. Off. Analyt. Chem. 68: 945–949.
Thorhaug, A., 1992. The environmental future of Kuwait. In Al-Shatti, A. K. & J. M. Harrington (eds), Proceedings of The International Symposium on the Environmental and Health Impacts of the Kuwaiti Oil Fires. University of Birmingham, Edgbaston: 69–72.
Vaessen, H. A., A. A. Jekel & A. A. M. M. Wibers, 1988. Dietary intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Toxicol, envir. Chem. 16: 281–294.
Varanasi, U. & J. E. Stein, 1991. Disposition of xenobiotic chemicals and metabolites in marine organisms. Envir. Health Perspec. 90: 93–100.
Varanasi, U., J. E. Stein & M. Nishimoto, 1989. Biotransformation and disposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in fish. In Varanasi, U. (ed.), Metabolism of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Aquatic Environment, CRC Press, Boca Raton: 93–149.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1997 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this paper
Cite this paper
DouAbul, A.AZ., Heba, H.M.A., Fareed, K.H. (1997). Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish from the Red Sea Coast of Yemen. In: Wong, YS., Tam, N.FY. (eds) Asia-Pacific Conference on Science and Management of Coastal Environment. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 123. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5234-1_25
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5234-1_25
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6203-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5234-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive