Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds that are widely distributed in the air, water, and soil. Recently, the amount of PAHs derived from fuels and from incomplete combustion processes is increasing. In the aquatic environment, oil spills directly cause PAH pollution and affect marine organisms. Oil spills correlate very well with the major shipping routes. Furthermore, accidental oil spills can seriously impact the marine environment toxicologically. Here, we describe PAH toxicities and related bioaccumulation properties in aquatic animals, including invertebrates. Recent studies have revealed the toxicity of PAHs, including endocrine disruption and tissue-specific toxicity, although researchers have mainly focused on the carcinogenic toxicity of PAHs. We summarize the toxicity of PAHs regarding these aspects. Additionally, the bioaccumulation properties of PAHs for organisms, including invertebrates, are important factors when considering PAH toxicity. In this review, we describe the bioaccumulation properties of PAHs in aquatic animals. Recently, microplastics have been the most concerning environmental problem in the aquatic ecosystem, and the vector effect of microplastics for lipophilic compounds is an emerging environmental issue. Here, we describe the correlation between PAHs and microplastics. Thus, we concluded that PAHs have a toxicity for aquatic animals, indicating that we should emphasize the prevention of aquatic PAH pollution.

Highlights

  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a chemical group that has two or more condensed aromatic rings, are ubiquitous compounds in air, water, and soil [1,2,3,4,5], and are categorized as general environmentally harmful pollutants

  • We concluded that PAHs have a toxicity for aquatic animals, indicating that we should emphasize the prevention of aquatic PAH pollution

  • The results showed that alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the scales was significantly suppressed by both polluted seawater samples, even if seawater was diluted to 500 times, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity did not change

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a chemical group that has two or more condensed aromatic rings, are ubiquitous compounds in air, water, and soil [1,2,3,4,5], and are categorized as general environmentally harmful pollutants. Regarding PAH pollution in aquatic environments, oil spill accidents are among the most concerning exposure events [14,15,16,17,18,19]. PAHs are considered carcinogenic chemicals and are concerning as they are important organic pollutants in the environment and human society (Figure 1). Additional toxicological studies have revealed other types of toxicities from PAHs: developmental toxicity, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption [32,33,34,35,36] Because of their ubiquity in the natural environment and various harmful effects on organisms, PAHs are among the most concerning organic pollutants. The correlation of PAHs and microplastics is described here

Carcinogenic Properties of PAHs in Mammals and Fish
Toxicity of PAHs on the Early Development of Fish
Toxicity of PAHs on the Bone Metabolism of Fish
Toxicity of PAHs on the Liver Metabolism of Fish
Toxicity and Endocrine-Disruptive Action of PAHs on Fish Reproduction
Possible Toxicity of PAHs Attached to Microplastics
Toxicities of PAHs in Invertebrates
Toxicity of OHPAHs to Sea Urchins
General Trend of the Bioaccumulation of PAHs in Aquatic Organisms
Bioaccumulation of PAHs in Fish
16 USEPA priority
Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Invertebrates
Conclusions
Findings
Background
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call