Pyrene is one of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs.  This group of pollutants is found naturally in the environment. They are usually associated with oil spills. Exposure to pyrene as one of the PAHs target organs like kidneys, liver and fat, causing kidney and liver damage. Benzo(a)pyrene is the most common PAH to cause cancer is formed from pyrene. In the present study, greenhouse mesocosms containing field-collected clean water and sediment. Controlled in-lab sediment pyrene dosing was done in presence of bioturbators (the ghost shrimp Lepidophthalmus louisianensis introducing it on the sediment surface of the mesocosms.  These marine bioturbators are abundant; they move a lot of sediment, and initiate the exchange of water within the sediment and between the sediment and the water column. Pyrene concentrations were determined or the razor clams Tagelus plebeius) the most-abundant bioturbators on the Gulf Coast. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to monitor the concentration of pyrene in overlying water. Microwave Extraction was used to determine the pyrene concentration in sediments (surface & subsurface) was extracted; finally samples were analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID).  The ghost shrimp and razor clams affect the distribution and biodegradation of pyrene. It was observed that the presence of such type of marine animals, especially the ghost shrimp enhanced the rate of decline in pyrene concentration in the surface sediment.

Investigating pyrene levels in water and sediment samples in presence of bioturbators

251st National Meeting (2016)

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