Paper Title
Level And Spatial Distribution Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) In Sediments From Danube River, Serbia

Abstract
Bottom sediments from 10 localities along the Danube River through the Republic of Serbia were analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and compared to Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG). The total organic carbon percentage was also determined. Concentrations of 16 PAHs in the sediment samples were measured by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry. Results showed total PAH concentrations ranged from 99.48 ng g-1 d.w. (D10) to 520.48 ng g-1 d.w. (D9) with arithmetic mean value of 271.86 ng g-1 d.w.. Individual PAH analysis showed that 4-6 rings PAHs were the most frequently detected isomers and accounted for 85% of the PAH total concentrations. Results for organic carbon percentages ranged from 0.3 % to 1.3 %. Statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation (Pearson test) between organic carbon percentage PAHs. Comparison of contaminant levels and international Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) (ERL and ER) suggested that sediment of the Danube River did not show any ecotoxicologial risk for benthic organisms where low levels of PAHs were detected. Monitoring of this and other contaminants is recommended in Serbia. Keywords- PAHs, TOC, sediment, Danube River, SQG