Source Identification and Toxicity assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Surface Sediments of the Southern Caspian Sea: A Systematic Review Study

Polycyclic aromatic Compounds (PAHs) are the most dangerous and priorities environmental pollutants due to their low biodegradability, bioaccumulation, high toxicity to organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the source identification and evaluation of the ecological toxicity of PAHs in coastal surface sediments in the southern part of the Caspian Sea using meta-analysis method. So, the concentrations of PAHs in surface sediments obtained from articles published in the past 10 years in the internal and foreign scientific journals. Finally, mean concentration, dominant origin and ecological toxicity were investigated. The average concentration of PAHs in surface sediments was 763.76 g. dw-1. Also, the results of the determination of the dominant source of PHAs using diagnostic ratios showed that both petrogenic and fuel sources are involved in the introduction of these compounds into coastal sediments depending on station location and sources of pollution. In addition, the evaluation of the toxicity of PAHs using NOAA, SQGs, and EPA sediment quality standards showed that the concentrations of PAH have little effect on living organisms. Generally it can be concluded that the level of contamination of PAHs in the region is moderate.