Risks to human health and estuarine ecology posed by pulling out creosote-treated timber on oyster farms

摘要: Abstract Five oyster farms in Port Stephens, Australia were studied to identify consequences of using creosote-treated posts and the risks posed by removing posts. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) phenols sediments, timber, water tissue. Before removed, total PAHs surface sediment on 24.1 mg kg −1 dry weight. This increased 45.5 mg kg weight after pulled out remained significantly higher 6 months later at 59.7 mg kg A similar increase found deeper sediments. The attached had a concentration 484–2642 mg kg weight, while corresponding value for tar-treated only 30.7 mg kg timber high levels an average post contained 43 g PAHs. dispersed environment when least 0.67 g. main species low-molecular weights: fluoranthene, phenanthrene, pyrene, acenaphthylene chrysene. Benzo( )pyrene represented 1–10% most samples. Bioassays creosote-contaminated revealed that Sydney rock oysters ( Saccostrea glomerate ) Pacific Crassostrea gigas accumulated (mg kg wet tissue weight): 11.3–15.3 35.5–47.9, respectively, exposed 5 days Wild growing (0.09–6.92 mg kg weight) (0.59–1.01 mg kg weight). dilemma dispersing carcinogenic, bioavailable contaminants needs be managed light human health estuarine ecology.