Figure 2.

Main processes determining the fate of oil and PAHs in the marine environment. Atmospheric PAH deposition on surface waters, corresponding to most cases of chronic pollution and petrogenic PAHs entering by oil spills, corresponding to acute pollution, undergo similar global abiotic and biotic processes. PAHs from natural oil seeps travel through the water column to the surface and finally follow the same processes as the previously described PAHs. The microbial biodegradation and the biological pump control PAH fluxes. The latter plays a crucial role in atmospheric PAH sequestration, bioaccumulation and sedimentation.