Temporal and spatial variations in PAH concentrations in the sediment from the Nilufer Creek in Bursa, Turkey.

The objective of this study was to identify the temporal variations in PAH concentrations in the sediment at different locations on the Nilufer Creek moving along an industrial city. The distribution of various PAH species and their possible sources were determined. Sediment samples were taken from at eight different locations on the Nilufer Creek for a one-year period. Temporal concentration profiles were in the range of 15-9600 ng g(-1) dry matter (dm). PAH concentrations reached their maximum values in the winter (9600 ng g(-1) dm). Molecular diagnostic ratios of PAHs showed that the pollution in the Nilufer Creek in the fall, winter and summer seasons was mostly pyrolytic. It was observed that 3-4 ring species predominated in all seasons in the Nilufer Creek sediment.