Petroleum and PAH contamination of the Black Sea

Concern has been expressed regarding the extent of contamination of the Black Sea. Analyses of coastal sediments taken from throughout the region indicate, however, that levels of petroleum hydrocarbons (2-300 mug g(-1) dry wt total hydrocarbons) are generally comparable to those encountered in the Mediterranean and are lower than concentrations reported for highly contaminated areas such as the Gulf, Hong Kong, Taiwan and New York Bight. Highest concentrations of total hydrocarbons (> 100 mug g(-1) dry wt) were associated with discharges from Odessa, Sochi and the River Danube. Chronic/degraded petroleum was the major contributor at these sites. Samples from the Ukrainian coastline were comparatively clean (