Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) tend to accumulate in the sediment due to their high hydrophobicity. Despite PAHs have been the subject of several reviews, PAH sorption processes in bottom sediments has not been comprehensively discussed. Understanding the dependencies governing PAH sorption processes will allow to predict, monitor, and mitigate the ecological effects of PAH contamination and the associated risks to humans or wildlife. The objectives of the study were to assess the relationship between the sorption properties and the content of PAHs in bottom sediments and mussels. The PAH profile was dominated by higher-molecular hydrocarbons, which accounted for 73% of the total concentration of PAHs. Potentiometric studies revealed the steric-based PAH sorption mechanism that strongly depended on the presence of negatively dissociating structures such as carboxylic or phenolic functional groups. Based on the changes in Q8 values, the size-exclusion effect was more likely for 5- and 6-ring compounds. Pores <5 µm, which had the largest share in the specific surface area, were the preferred sites for PAH sequestration and stabilization in bottom sediments. The availability of PAHs was reduced in sediments with high organic matter content. The PAH bioaccumulation factor significantly decreased with increasing TOC content in sediments. Higher mortality and growth inhibition of H. incongruens were observed in samples with high and medium TOC contents than in those with low TOC content.

多环芳烃（PAHs）由于其高疏水性而容易积聚在沉积物中。尽管多环芳烃已成为几篇评论的主题，但底部沉积物中多环芳烃的吸附过程尚未得到全面讨论。了解控制 PAH 吸附过程的依赖性将有助于预测、监测和减轻 PAH 污染的生态影响以及对人类或野生动物的相关风险。该研究的目的是评估吸附特性与底部沉积物和贻贝中 PAHs 含量之间的关系。多环芳烃分布以高分子烃为主，占多环芳烃总浓度的 73%。电位研究揭示了基于空间位阻的 PAH 吸附机制，其强烈依赖于负解离结构（如羧基或酚基官能团）的存在。根据 Q8 值的变化，尺寸排阻效应更可能适用于 5 环和 6 环化合物。毛孔 <5 µm 在比表面积中占有最大份额，是多环芳烃在底部沉积物中封存和稳定的首选位置。有机质含量高的沉积物中多环芳烃的可用性降低。随着沉积物中 TOC 含量的增加，PAH 的生物累积因子显着降低。在 TOC 含量高和中等的样品中，与低 TOC 含量的样品相比， H. incongruens的死亡率和生长抑制率更高。