Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Sediments and Fish Tissues Collected from a Protected Lagoon Region

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected and quantified in sediment and edible fish (Megalops atlanticus) from Caleta lagoon (Lagoon of Terminos, Mexico) in order to assess their potential health impact on consumers. Sum PAH concentrations in sediment and fish muscle tissues were dominated by high molecular weight PAH compound (46.4%-93.1%) relative to low molecular weight compounds (6.9%-42.9%). Contamination was associated with local industrial activities and urbanization. The effective range low (ERL: 4022 ng g^-1) value were lower suggested adverse biological effect would be rarely observed. While the analysis of PAHs in muscle of M. atlanticus suggests a minimum impact to consumers according to the permitted limits of dibenzo (a, h) anthracene (10 ng g^-1) and benzo [a] pyrene (0.1-1.2 μg kg^-1). It is advisable to propose environmental strategies to mitigate future environmental damage in the ecosystem.