PAH
From Coastal Wiki
Definition of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon:
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), any of several multi-ringed aromatic compounds that are found in e.g. soot, coal, tar, cigarette smoke and barbecue meat. Examples include pyrene and benzo(a)-pyrene. Some of these compounds are known carcinogens.
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This is the common definition for Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, other definitions can be discussed in the article
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Some species (like fish) can excrete PAH rather fast, therefore they have lower body burdens of PAHs than for example shellfish who bioacummulate PAHs. The most toxic PAHs are pyrene and fluoranthene, followed By phenanthene and anthracene. PAHs with a high molecular weight may cause sublethal effects; such as growth reduction, chronic diseases, reproductive impairment, at very low concentrations in biota: at 5 to 100 ppb (parts per billion) in the tissue of the animal. While concentrations which are considered toxic range from 0,2 to 10 ppm (parts per million). Concentrations in wild biota inside this range have been found in heavily polluted areas.
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Case studies
PCB and heavy metals in beached sperm whales
See also
References
- ↑ Lawrence E (ed.), 2000. Henderson’s Dictionary of Biological Terms. 12th edition. Prentice Hall, Pearson Education Limited. Harlow, Great Britain.
- ↑ Biology of marine birds. Schreiber, E.A. & Burger, J. (Eds). 2002. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. 722 pp.
- ↑ Kennish, M. J. (1996): Practical Handbook of Estuarine and Marine Pollution, CRC Press 524 pp
