Bioaccumulation characteristic and source analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Acanthaster planci from the South China Sea

Previous studies have shown that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread in coral reef regions (CRRs) of the South China Sea (SCS). However, the pollution characteristics of PAHs in Acanthaster planci from CRRs are still unknown. The bioaccumulation and sources of 15 priority-controlled PAHs (excluding naphthalene) in Acanthaster planci from CRRs in the SCS were studied by using GC-MS/MS. The results showed that the total concentration of PAHs (∑₁₅PAHs) was significantly higher in the stomach (107±96.9) ng/g dw than in the pyloric caecum (29.0±34.5) ng/g dw and epidermis (31.0±23.5) ng/g dw (p<0.01). The 3-rings PAHs were dominant in Acanthaster planci tissues (69%～85%), which was similar to the proportion of 3-rings PAHs in coral tissues from the SCS. A significant negative correlation occurred between ∑₁₅PAHs and diameters of Acanthaster planci (p<0.05), indicating that the bioaccumulation ability of juvenile Acanthaster planci was stronger. Except benzokfluoranthene (BkF), all the detected PAHs had weak bioaccumulation ability in Acanthaster planci tissues (BAFs<2000 L/kg). The sources of PAHs in Acanthaster planci mainly came from pyrogenic sources including fossil fuel and biomass combustion, and a few came from petroleum or petrogenic sources. These results can help the understanding of the bioaccumulation characteristics of organic pollutants such as PAHs in Acanthaster planci.