Source of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons found in sediment in a region of expanding sugarcane cultivation of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

摘要

Purpose Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are unintentional products that are classified as persistent toxic substances. The goal of the present study was to generate data on the presence of 15 priority PAHs that are found in surface sediment and core sediment in the region of the Turvo/Grande watershed, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, which is an area of expanding sugarcane cultivation, and to correlate these data with the sources of these PAHs and the guiding values for sediment quality analysis.