This study investigated the spatial distribution, potential sources, and toxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno (NaSa Gulfs), Southern Italy. The investigation focused on the coastal sea sediments of the Bagnoli brownfield site within the Gulf of Naples. The ∑₁₆PAHs in the sediments of the NaSa Gulfs outside of the Bagnoli brownfield site have concentrations that ranged from 9.58 to 15,818 μg/kg, with a geometric mean (Gmean) of 234 μg/kg. High-molecular weight PAHs (HMW PAHs) contributed to over 80% of the ∑₁₆PAHs. The concentration of ∑₁₆PAHs in the Gulf of Naples was twice as high as that in Salerno (768 μg/kg and 317 μg/kg, respectively), and the ∑₁₆PAHs levels in the Bagnoli brownfield site exceeded that in the NaSa Gulfs by over three orders of magnitude. The molecular distributions of PAHs studies suggested biomass/coal combustion as their main sources. Based on the analysis of the toxic equivalent quantity and sediment quality guideline quotient, the contamination of PAHs in sediments may pose significant toxicity and biological risks to marine organisms.

这项研究调查了意大利南部那不勒斯湾和萨勒诺（NaSa湾）沉积物中多环芳烃（PAHs）的空间分布，潜在来源和毒性作用。调查的重点是那不勒斯湾内Bagnoli棕地站点的沿海海沉积物。Bagnoli棕地站点外的NaSa海湾沉积物中的∑ ₁₆ PAHs浓度范围为9.58至15,818μg/ kg，几何平均数（Gmean）为234μg/ kg。高分子量多环芳烃（HMW多环芳烃）占∑ ₁₆多环芳烃的80％以上。那不勒斯湾中∑ ₁₆ PAHs的浓度是萨勒诺（Salerno）的两倍（分别为768μg/ kg和317μg/ kg），而∑ ₁₆Bagnoli棕地站点的PAHs水平比NaSa海湾的PAHs高出三个数量级。PAHs研究的分子分布表明生物质/煤燃烧是其主要来源。根据对毒性当量和沉积物质量准则商的分析，沉积物中多环芳烃的污染可能对海洋生物造成重大毒性和生物风险。