ABSTRACT
Two general types of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been characterized: fused-ring compounds; and linked-ring compounds. Among the most carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic compounds found in estuaries are PAHs, also known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic organic matter. Consisting of hydrogen and carbon arranged in the form of two or more fused benzene rings in linear, angular, or cluster arrangements with substituted groups possibly attached to one or more rings, PAHs encompass a wide range of chemicals. Aquatic organisms rapidly metabolize most PAHs, but some of these compounds become carcinogenic or mutagenic or both when activated through metabolism. W. A. Van Engel described the metabolic processing of PAHs by the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. C. Lake et al. studied PAH assemblages in the sediments of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, focusing on the origin, concentration, and distribution of the compounds by utilizing gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometric techniques of analysis.
