Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments, Mussels, and Clams along the Coast of British Columbia

Description

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) data for sediments and bivalve tissues along the coast of British Columbia (BC) have been compiled to support the Spill Response Team within Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Integrated Marine Response Planning (IMRP) program. The data originate from Ocean Wise Conservation Association’s Pollution Tracker database and include sites funded by DFO, along with additional sites incorporated with permission from partner organizations. A centralized and accessible dataset of background (reference) hydrocarbon concentrations in sediments and bivalve tissues is essential for interpreting environmental sampling results during marine oil spills. Such baseline information provides context for distinguishing spill-related contamination from natural or historical conditions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), key constituents of petroleum products, are routinely measured following spills because of their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties and their documented impacts on fish, marine mammals, and human health through seafood consumption. These compiled data are intended to support oil spill response planning and decision-making, assist contaminant assessment during spill events, and improve transparency by making the information more broadly accessible. The dataset contains concentrations of PAHs measured in sediment and biota samples, including mussel and clam tissues, along with supporting parameters such as moisture content, grain size distribution, total organic carbon (sediment), and lipid content (biota). Metadata fields include program name, site ID, geographic coordinates, water depth, sampling date, and funder information.

Resources

Name Format Description Link
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Data for Bivalve Tissues ZIP https://api-proxy.edh-cde.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/catalogue/records/d79ae28e-606a-4984-8f9c-2f6e2bea7e0b/attachments/Biota.zip
Data Dictionary English xlsx https://api-proxy.edh-cde.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/catalogue/records/d79ae28e-606a-4984-8f9c-2f6e2bea7e0b/attachments/Data%20Dictionary_PAHs_EN.xlsx
Data Dictionary French xlsx https://api-proxy.edh-cde.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/catalogue/records/d79ae28e-606a-4984-8f9c-2f6e2bea7e0b/attachments/Data%20Dictionary_PAHs_FR.xlsx
Metadata xlsx https://api-proxy.edh-cde.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/catalogue/records/d79ae28e-606a-4984-8f9c-2f6e2bea7e0b/attachments/Metadata.xlsx
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Data for Sediments ZIP https://api-proxy.edh-cde.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/catalogue/records/d79ae28e-606a-4984-8f9c-2f6e2bea7e0b/attachments/Sediment.zip

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