Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Contamination Levels and Accumulation Profiles of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Surface Sediments from South Central Coast of Vietnam

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were quantified in surface sediments from the South Central Coast of Vietnam, characterizing sources, spatial distribution, and potential ecological risk from these hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants.

2024 VNU Journal of Science Natural Sciences and Technology
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Xiamen coastal areas: Implications for anthropogenic impacts

Researchers measured both microplastic abundance and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in surface water and sediments of Xiamen coastal areas in southeast China. The study found that microplastic distribution correlated with urbanization and industrial activity patterns, suggesting that anthropogenic inputs drive co-contamination of coastal environments with both microplastics and chemical pollutants.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 261 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Factors Influencing Their Accumulation in Surface Sediment of a Deep-Sea Depression, Namely, the Tatar Trough (Tatar Strait, the Sea of Japan)

Researchers investigated the concentrations, sources, and distribution of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of the Tatar Trough in the Sea of Japan, finding that PAH levels have increased over recent decades. Source analysis identified both pyrogenic and petrogenic origins, with spatial patterns reflecting oceanographic circulation and proximity to terrestrial inputs.

2023 Water 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution Characteristics and Pollution Sources Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Phthalate Esters in the Seawater of Land-Based Outlets around Zhanjiang Bay in Spring

Researchers analyzed the distribution and potential sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental samples, using molecular diagnostic ratios and receptor modeling to distinguish combustion-derived from petroleum-derived PAH inputs. The study found that mixed petrogenic and pyrogenic sources contributed to contamination, with spatial patterns reflecting proximity to traffic corridors and industrial zones.

2024 Water 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments from the Tampamachoco lagoon, Tuxpan River mouth, Gulf of Mexico

This paper is not about microplastics; it characterizes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in sediments of a Mexican coastal lagoon, focusing on sources like fossil fuel combustion — with no substantive discussion of microplastic pollution.

2023 Arabian Journal of Geosciences 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and sediment of the Bay of Bengal coastal area, India: sources, pathway and ecological risk

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment along two Bay of Bengal coastal beaches in India and found microplastics present at both sites. They also detected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a group of harmful chemicals, adsorbed onto the microplastic surfaces at concentrations that varied by particle shape. The study highlights that microplastics in coastal waters act as carriers for toxic organic pollutants, potentially increasing ecological risks in the marine environment.

2024 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affiliated with microplastics in surface waters of Bohai and Huanghai Seas, China

Microplastics collected from surface waters of the Bohai and Huanghai Seas in China were found to carry polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at concentrations exceeding those in surrounding water, acting as concentrators of these carcinogenic compounds. The study documents that microplastics in heavily industrialized Chinese coastal seas accumulate PAHs that can be transferred to organisms that ingest them.

2018 Environmental Pollution 192 citations
Article Tier 2

Sources, Occurrences, and Risks of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydro-Carbons (PAHs) in Bangladesh: A Review of Current Status

This review examines levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), toxic chemicals from burning fossil fuels, across water, soil, air, and seafood in Bangladesh, finding concentrations higher than in most other countries. Health assessments revealed both cancer and non-cancer risks to residents from eating contaminated seafood. While focused on PAHs rather than microplastics directly, the findings are relevant because microplastics can absorb and concentrate these same cancer-causing chemicals, potentially worsening human exposure.

2024 Atmosphere 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and their affiliated PAHs in the sea surface connected to the southwest coast of Taiwan

Researchers sampled microplastics from estuary, fishing port, and harbor entrance waters along the southwestern coast of Taiwan, finding mean abundances of 0.36 items per square meter dominated by small PE and PP fragments. Associated PAH concentrations in MPs ranged from 104 to 3595 ng/g dry weight, with source apportionment indicating predominantly petrogenic (71.4%) and vehicle-related (28.6%) origins.

2020 Chemosphere 98 citations
Article Tier 2

Association between PAH and plastic fragments on Brazilian coast beaches: a baseline assessment

Researchers conducted a baseline assessment of the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and plastic fragments collected from beaches along the Brazilian coast, characterising how microplastics act as adsorption surfaces for these organic pollutants. The study found co-occurrence of PAHs and plastic fragments at sampled sites, establishing contamination baselines and informing understanding of the plastic-pollutant vector pathway.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 4 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Meta-Analysis of a New Georeferenced Database on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Western and Central Mediterranean Seafood

This meta-analysis built a georeferenced database of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in Western and Central Mediterranean seafood, finding that PAH levels vary significantly by species biology, habitat, and proximity to pollution sources. Filter-feeding organisms and those in coastal areas showed higher contamination levels. PAHs are among the hydrophobic organic pollutants that readily adsorb onto microplastic surfaces, making microplastics potential vectors for concentrating and transporting these carcinogens through marine food webs.

2022 Applied Sciences 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of Microplastics and Their Affiliated PAHs in Surface Water in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Researchers characterized microplastics and associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water across canals, the Saigon River, and coastal waters in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, finding microplastics at all sites with the highest concentrations in urban canals and detecting co-occurring PAH contamination.

2022 Polymers 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Extraction and determination of microplastics and associated PAHs in seawater and beach sediments from the northwestern part of the Caspian Sea

Researchers collected microplastics and beach sediments from the northwestern Caspian Sea and used GC-MS to characterize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on the MPs, finding PAH profiles consistent with petroleum combustion sources and documenting MP-PAH co-contamination in this landlocked sea.

2025 Analytical Methods in Environmental Chemistry Journal 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastiglomerates from uncontrolled burning of plastic waste on Indonesian beaches contain high contents of organic pollutants

Researchers examined plastiglomerates — rocks fused with melted plastic — from Indonesian beaches where plastic waste is burned openly, finding high concentrations of toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates in the samples. The burning process makes plastics more brittle and prone to breaking into microplastics, while also creating new mobile pollution forms that can carry chemical contaminants into nearby coral reefs and coastal habitats.

2023 Scientific Reports 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Voyaging of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, an emerging group of pollutants, on micro-mesoplastics in the marine environment.

Researchers detected 61 of 75 target halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in micro-mesoplastics collected from coastal environments in Sri Lanka and Japan, finding that plastic surfaces accumulate these emerging pollutants at concentrations far exceeding surrounding sediments and that chlorinated PAHs dominated over brominated forms at both sites.

2023 Journal of hazardous materials
Article Tier 2

Distribution, source identification, and ecological risk of PAHs in a large river- reservoir system

Researchers assessed the distribution, sources, and ecological risk of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Dongjiang river-reservoir system in China, finding total PAH concentrations of 102.2-407.6 ng/L with naphthalene dominant, and attributing pollution primarily to charcoal, coal, and gasoline combustion sources.

2022 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Sources and Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Microplastics in Sediments from the Gulf of Trieste

Researchers characterized the distribution, concentration, and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microplastics in marine sediments from the Gulf of Trieste using FTIR spectroscopy and density separation. PAH concentrations were highest near harbors and marinas and were of both pyrogenic and petrogenic origin, while microplastics peaked at 125 particles per 100 g dry weight in coastal areas with filaments and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene (100-300 µm) dominating.

2024
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution and source identification of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) on sedimentary microplastic in Hong Kong

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and sources of hydrophobic organic compounds (PAHs, PCBs, and OCPs) adsorbed onto sedimentary microplastics (0.25-5 mm) in Hong Kong waters. They found localised pyrolytic and petrogenic PAH inputs, higher PCB concentrations in western waters linked to Pearl River discharge, and identified microplastics as significant vectors for co-contaminant transport in coastal sediments.

2018 Chemosphere 82 citations
Article Tier 2

Sorption, Extraction, and Characterization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Environmentally Weathered Microplastics, Particulate Organic Matter, Sediment, and Fish Species in the Lavaca-Matagorda Bay System

Researchers studied how microplastics carry cancer-causing chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Lavaca-Matagorda Bay system in Texas. They found PAHs attached to microplastics, sediment, and in the digestive systems of three commercially important fish species. This shows that microplastics can act as vehicles for toxic chemicals in coastal waters, potentially affecting the safety of fish that people eat.

2025 Environment & Health 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Distribution in Sediments in Coastal of Pariaman City, West Sumatera Province

Indonesian researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in sediments along the coast of Pariaman City, West Sumatra, finding plastic particles throughout the study area. Higher concentrations near tourism areas and residential zones suggest that local human activities are the primary sources of coastal microplastic contamination.

2021 Asian Journal of Aquatic Sciences 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation and Impact of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Environment: A Review

This review examines polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — toxic compounds produced by incomplete combustion of fuels — covering their environmental sources, biodegradation pathways, and health risks including cancer, which they pose to humans, animals, and ecosystems.

2022 Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil and Vegetation of Niger Delta, Nigeria: Ecological Risk Assessment

Researchers assessed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in soils and vegetation across Nigeria's Niger Delta, finding elevated PAH levels in both matrices near oil exploration sites with ecological risk indices indicating significant environmental concern.

2023 Journal of Toxicology 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Correlation between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Wharf Roach (Ligia spp.) and Environmental Components of the Intertidal and Supralittoral Zone along the Japanese Coast

Researchers measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in wharf roaches, mussels, and environmental media at 12 coastal sites in Japan, finding that wharf roaches accumulate PAHs primarily from food (drifting seaweed) and sediment, suggesting their utility as bioindicators of coastal PAH pollution.

2021 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment and sources identification of microplastics, PAHs and OCPs in the Luoyuan Bay, China: Based on multi-statistical analysis

Researchers applied multi-statistical analysis to assess microplastics, PAHs, and organochlorine pesticides in sediments across 21 sites in Luoyuan Bay, a mariculture-influenced bay in southeastern China, finding rayon fragments dominated microplastics and that pollution sources varied spatially across the bay. The upper bay was dominated by microplastic pollution while the lower bay showed higher persistent organic pollutant contamination.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 34 citations