Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in superficial sediments from Ghar El Melh lagoon, Tunisia.

The concentrations of 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in 12 superficial sediments collected from the Ghar El Melh lagoon. Sediment samples were extracted by Soxhlet, and analyzed by Gas chromatography with flame ionisation detector (FID). PAH concentrations, ranged from 39.59 to 655.28 ng/g on a dry weight. Total PAH concentrations were not correlated with organic carbon (OC) content or grain size (% <63 microm). Special PAH compound ratios, such as Ft/Py and Ft/Ft + Py were calculated to evaluate different hydrocarbon origins and showed that PAHs are derived from pyrolytic process.