Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Fish Research Articles

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish from four lakes in central and eastern China: Bioaccumulation, pollution characteristics, sources, and health risk assessment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly concerning environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. In this paper, concentrations and compositions of 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority control PAHs in the fish collected from four lakes in central and eastern China were analyzed. 18 species of fish were collected from four typical lakes, namely Taihu Lake, Danjiangkou Reservoir, Yuncheng Salt Lake, and Nansi Lake. Quantitative analysis of PAHs were carried out with gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, and 13 out of 16 PAHs were identified, with the main components being pyrene, chrysene, naphthalene, and benzo(b)fluoranthene. The accumulation of PAHs in fish from Taihu Lake, Danjiangkou Reservoir, Yuncheng Salt Lake, and Nansi Lake was 28.75–47.27, 26.60–31.93, 33.56–39.30, and 27.22–43.01 ng·g−1, respectively. The toxic equivalents of high-cyclic PAHs in fish of the four lakes were significantly higher than those of low-cyclic and middle-cyclic PAHs (P < 0.05). In Taihu Lake, Danjiangkou Reservoir, and Nansi Lake, the toxicity equivalents were predominantly contributed by benzo[a] pyrene (BaP), while in Yuncheng Salt Lake, dibenzo(a,h) anthracene (DahA) was the main contributor. The residents in central and eastern China exposed to PAHs had a negligible non-cancer risk (non-carcinogenic risk values <1) and a potential low cancer risk. It was noteworthy that the Pleuronichthys cornutus and Lateolabrax japonicus from Yuncheng Salt Lake could pose carcinogenic risks (>10−4) to humans, with benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) having the highest risk contribution rate. Source analysis indicated that the main source of PAHs in fish was combustion sources. BaP, DahA, and BbF could become potential pollutants of concern in the field of ecotoxicology. The results of this study on PAHs bioaccumulation, pollution characteristics, sources and health risks in fish from four lakes would provide a scientific basis for local governments to formulate targeted environmental management policies, pollution control measures, and public health strategies.

Structure-based modeling to assess binding and endocrine disrupting potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Daniorerio

Environmental contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have raised concerns regarding their potential endocrine-disrupting effects on aquatic organisms, including fish. In this study, molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques were employed to evaluate the endocrine-disrupting potential of PAHs in zebrafish, as a model organism. A virtual screening with 72 PAHs revealed a correlation between the number of PAH aromatic rings and their binding affinity to proteins involved in endocrine regulation. Furthermore, PAHs with the highest binding affinities for each protein were identified: cyclopenta[cd]pyrene for AR (−9.7 kcal/mol), benzo(g)chrysene for ERα (−11.5 kcal/mol), dibenzo(a,e)pyrene for SHBG (−8.7 kcal/mol), dibenz(a,h)anthracene for StAR (−11.2 kcal/mol), and 2,3-benzofluorene for TRα (−9.8 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the protein-ligand complexes formed by the PAHs with the highest binding affinities throughout the simulations. Additionally, the effectiveness of the protocol used in this study was demonstrated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, which effectively distinguished decoys from true ligands. Therefore, this research provides valuable insights into the endocrine-disrupting potential of PAHs in fish, highlighting the importance of assessing their impact on aquatic ecosystems.

An extensive investigation on human risk associated with PAHs in fish and sediment in Bushehr, Northern of Persian Gulf

Here, a comprehensive study was designed to estimate the human risk assessment attributed to exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)in sediment and fish in most polluted shore area in north of Persian Gulf. To this end, a total of 20 sediment and inhabitual Fish, as one of most commercial fish, samples were randomly collected from 20 different stations along Bushehr Province coastline. The 16 different components of PAHs were extracted from sediment and edible parts of inhabitual fish and measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. In addition, dietary daily intake (DDI) values of PAHs via ingestion Indian halibut and the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) attributed to human exposure to sediments PAHs via (a) inhalation, (b) ingestion, and (c) dermal contact for two groups of ages: children (1–11 years) and adults (18–70 years) were estimated. The results indicated that all individual PAHs except for Benzo(b)flouranthene (BbF) and Benzo(ghi) perylene (BgP) were detected in different sediment sample throughout the study area with average concentration between 2.275 ± 4.993 mg.kg–1 dw. Furthermore, Naphthalene (Nap) with highest average concentration of 3.906 ± 3.039 mg.kg–1 dw was measured at the Indian halibut. In addition, the human risk analysis indicated that excess cancer risk (ECR) attributed to PAHs in sediment and fish in Asaluyeh with high industrial activities on oil and derivatives were higher the value recommended by USEPA (10−6). Therefore, a comprehensive analysis on spatial distribution and human risk assessment of PAHs in sediment and fish can improve the awareness on environmental threat in order to aid authorities and decision maker to find a sustainable solution.

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish: A systematic review

This study was conducted on the concentrations of PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene and the sum of four PAHs (benz[a]anthracene, chryseno, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene), in unsmoked fish tissues. The values were related to the time period, locality (country and region), living habits, eating habits, and types of environments of the fish species. The data obtained has been also compared with the limits established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and European Union (E.U.) legislation. The data were collected through a PRISMA systematic review (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) from 1982 to 2020. Only documents that presented the PAHs concentration values were selected. China, Nigeria, and Iran had the highest number of studies. The species Coptodon zillii, Siganus punctatus, and Liza abu were the most commonly used bioindicators. Fish inhabiting demersal and pelagic environments showed the highest concentrations of PAHs. The majority of PAH concentrations of the analyzed documents fell within permissible limits for human consumption, representing a total percentage of 79.49 % for benzo[a]pyrene and 82.86 % for the sum of the 4 PAHs. Although some studies identified concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene alone and benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chryseno, benzo[b]fluoranthene above the legislation limits, in most of them, the concentrations reported in fish tissue were below the limits defined by European Legislation for human consumption.

Assessing hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (OHPAH) metabolites in bile of English sole (Parophrys vetulus) from Puget Sound, WA, USA by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that are widely monitored in marine biota from urbanized areas, due to their toxicity to aquatic organisms. Teleost fish can quickly metabolize PAHs into hydroxylated forms (OHPAHs) that, in some cases, are more toxic than the parent (unmetabolized) PAHs. But due to this fast metabolism, monitoring traditional parent PAHs in fish can cause underestimation on assessing PAH exposure. In addition, environmental levels of individual OHPAH metabolites are lacking in the literature worldwide. Therefore, we developed a rapid and accurate analytical method in which a number of individual OHPAHs metabolites are measured simultaneously in fish bile, via liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, including low and high molecular weight mono- and diol-OHPAHs. We analyzed bile samples of 119 English sole (Parophrys vetulus) collected from 14 Puget Sound, WA, USA, sites, which has multiple sources of PAHs, including urban stormwater runoff, wastewater effluents, as well as an inactive creosote facility. The mean (± SD) biliary summed OHPAH (∑OHPAH) concentrations determined in English sole from urban, near-urban, and non-urban sites were 790 ± 1400 (n = 46), 310 ± 330 (n = 44) and 130 ± 200 (n = 29) ng/mL, respectively, with a maximum reaching 9400 ng/mL in a sample from an urban site. We compared these novel biliary OHPAH metabolite data with parent PAHs measured in stomach content of the same individual sole. Biliary ∑OHPAH concentrations were significantly correlated with the levels of ∑PAH in stomach content, however, with major differences in their distribution. We also demonstrated that biliary OHPAH metabolite data in English sole can potentially be used to distinguish different sampling sites due to a specific variety and intensity of PAH sources in the aquatic environment, which makes this a very important analytical approach for assessing PAH exposure in the environment.

Potential of microplastics participate in selective bioaccumulation of low-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons depending on the biological habits of fishes

Currently, although the cumulative effects of microplastics (MPs) and organic pollutants (OPs) in the environment and within organisms are being investigated, whether and how MPs participate in bioaccumulation of OPs based on a carrier effect is still unclear. In the present study, water and aquatic organisms were collected from the Pearl River. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and MPs were separated by solid phase extraction and were measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Higher PAH concentrations at the river outlet and higher MPs abundance in the inner river were observed, indicating a mismatched distribution between PAHs and MPs. No correlation between MP abundance and PAH concentration in fishes was detected, implying that MPs exerted limited influence on PAH concentrations. Interestingly, bioconcentration factors of one major low-ring PAH (phenanthrene) in fishes showed a significant correlation with MPs abundance, implying that although MPs did not affect the variation in PAH concentrations, they potentially participated in selective bioaccumulation of PAHs. Moreover, significant correlations between MPs abundance and PAHs in fishes with different feeding and living habits were found, indicating that MPs' participation in PAH bioaccumulation was dependent on fish biology and life history. Furthermore, the health risk posed by PAHs in fishes at the river outlet surpassed the line of potential high risk, while the ecological risk posed by MPs at the inner river was in the danger category, indicating the ecological risks posed by PAHs and MPs are uneven along the Pearl River. These findings deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanism of MPs participating in selective bioaccumulation of low-ring PAHs in fishes based on fish biology and point out the present risks posed by these two pollutants in the Pearl River and its estuary, which contribute to aquatic environmental protection and fishery production in this region.

Organohalogenated Substances and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fish from Mediterranean Sea and North Italian Lakes: Related Risk for the Italian Consumers.

The primary source of persistent organic pollutant (POP) exposure is food, especially fish. European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) are among the most eaten sea fish in Italy. Fish from lakes in Northern Italy, such as agone (Alosa agone), represent niche consumption for most people, but possibly constitute a much larger percentage of overall consumption volume for local residents. This study dealt with the presence of POPs in the above-mentioned fish species via GC-MS/MS analysis. None of the analytes for which maximum limits are in place showed concentrations above those limits. Moreover, none of the substances without maximum limits exceeded the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) when given, nor did they exceed the more general values considered safe, even for 99th percentile consumers.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in 30 river ecosystems, Taiwan: Sources, and ecological and human health risks

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are diverse contaminants of global concern because of their ubiquity, toxicity, and carcinogenicity to many organisms, including humans. This study determines the distribution and sources of PAHs in sediments and fish from 30 major rivers in Taiwan, and the risks these PAHs pose to river ecosystems and human health. The total concentrations of 26 PAHs in sediments and fish were 0.016–7.44 mg/kg dw and 0.096–5.51 mg/kg ww, respectively. The PAH composition in sediments differed from that in fish, indicating that sediments may not be the major contributor of PAHs to fish. The accumulation of different PAH compounds in fish was species-specific, depending on the lipid content, living pattern, and trophic level of each fish species, and on the level of environmental contamination. The diagnostic ratios revealed that PAHs in the sediment primarily originated from pyrogenic sources, with some contribution from petrogenic sources. The contribution of each source varied with the sampling site and season. Several water and air quality variables were found to significantly correlate with PAH concentration in sediments and fish, suggesting that PAHs were mainly derived from wastewater discharge and combustion emissions. The 95th percentile risk quotient values suggested that PAHs in sediment from six rivers pose high ecotoxicological risks. The toxic equivalents of benzo[a]pyrene for 16 PAHs in fish were 12–108 μg/kg dw. A human risk assessment using the 95th percentile values of hazard quotient, hazard index, and margin of exposure revealed that the consumption of contaminated fish muscle poses no remarkable risk to human health. However, the 95th percentile carcinogenic risk values indicated that benzo[a]pyrene concentrations in some fish muscles may pose a carcinogenic risk. Benzo[a]pyrene risk management measures are, therefore, necessary.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments and fish species from the White Nile, East Africa: Bioaccumulation potential, source apportionment, ecological and health risk assessment.

The impact of oil exploration and production activities on the environment of sub-saharan African countries is not well studied. This study aimed at determining concentrations, sources, and bioaccumulation of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments and fish from the White Nile near Melut oil fields, South Sudan. The study also assessed the ecological and human health risk associated with PAHs in this aquatic system. Total (∑13) PAH concentrations ranged from 566 to 674ng g-1dry weight (dw) in sediments, while those in fish were 191-1143ngg-1 wet weight (ww). ∑13PAH concentrations were significantly higher in C.gariepinus than in other fish species. Low molecular weight PAHs (LPAHs) dominated the profile of PAHs in sediments (constituted 95% of ∑13PAHs) and fish (97% of ∑13PAHs). Compared to Sediment Quality Guidelines of the United States Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the levels of LPAHs in this study were all above the threshold effect limits, but below the probable effect level, while those of high molecular weight PAHs (HPAHs) were all below the lowest effect levels. The carcinogenic potency equivalent concentrations of PAHs in L.niloticus and C.gariepinus were above the US EPA screening level; suggesting consumption of these species could adversely affect human health. Biota-sediment accumulation factor values (range: 0.006-3.816g OC g-1 lipid) for PAHs showed high bioaccumulation of LPAHs in fish muscle, and that bioaccumulation decreased with increase in hydrophobicity of the compounds. This is possibly because LPAHs have higher aqueous solubilities which increases their bioavailability through water-gill transfers compared to HPAHs. Profiles of PAHs in the White Nile environment indicate predominant contribution from petrogenic sources, which could be attributed to presence of crude oil reservoirs and oil production operations. More research into the levels of other environmental pollutants in the oil-rich area is recommended.

Human health risks from fish consumption following a catastrophic gas oil spill in the Chiquito River, Veracruz, Mexico

An industrial accident resulted in a gas oil spill of 11,808 barrels in the upper part of the Coatzacoalcos River watershed. After river shore cleanup, concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in muscle (+ skin) were determined in captured fish to evaluate human health risk due to fish consumption post-spill in the most affected communities. Data on fish consumption, body weight, and diet factor were collected by questionnaires and field observations. Using standard formulas for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances, site-specific remediation levels were calculated in fish, comparing them to the real levels observed. Likewise, the levels of PAHs in fish captured pre- and post-spill were compared to determine their origin (pyrolytic vs. petrogenic). The TPH concentrations were between 119,000 and 523,000 ng/g (dry weight) and no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found pre- vs. post-spill. The concentration of total PAHs varied between 2494.83 and 35,412.23 ng/g (dry weight), with the concentrations of naphthalene (520.9 ng/g) and phenanthrene (7532.7 ng/g) being much higher than in control samples, and being from the gas oil spill (petrogenic origin). The site-specific remediation levels calculated for TPH and PAH were much higher than the maximum levels actually detected. No human health risks were found from hydrocarbons from the spill, at least after cleanup efforts and natural attenuation (six months).

Assessment of the health risks associated with human dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Nile tilapia from Agboyi creek, Southwest Nigeria

Increasing levels of persistent organic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems have been a major challenge in many regions of the world due to their potential adverse effects on ecological receptors and humans via the food chain. This study assessed the risk associated with dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in muscle tissues of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus from Agboyi creek in Southwest-Nigeria. The concentrations of PAHs were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) following United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) methods. Of the 16 priority PAHs screened, the mean concentration of Acenaphthene (60.51 ± 69.85 μg/kg), the most dominant of all detected PAHs accounted for 19 % of total PAHs while Benzo (a) pyrene with the lowest mean concentration of 0.08 ± 0.17 μg/kg accounted for 0.03 % of total PAHs recorded. Estimated human daily intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) of PAHs in fish through human consumption were less than the reference dose (RfD) and threshold value. However, obtained toxic equivalent concentration (TEC) for Benzo (b) fluoranthene (35.79 μg/kg) and Dibenz (a, h) anthracene (56.25 μg/kg) as well as the estimated excess cancer risk (ECR) values for 7 most toxic PAHs in fish tissues exceeded the calculated screening value of 0.0027 μg/g and the 'acceptable' range of risk (˃ 10-6) set by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) respectively. Dietary exposure to some PAHs recorded in the tissue of Nile tilapia from Agboyi creek may have consequent health implications on the consumers.

Impact of Illegal Crude Oil Refining in Jike-ama River of Bille Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria

Oil exploration and exploitation is a lucrative business and one of the major sources of revenue in Nigeria. Each year, hundreds of post-impact assessment (PIA) studies are conducted to assess the impact of the hazards generated by the oil industry on social environment and on human health. This hazardous impact is the associated with the activities of illegal refining of crude oil. Thus, this work examined the impact of illegal crude oil refining activities in Jike-Ama river of Jike-Ama community. Shellfish, fish, surface water and sediment samples were randomly collected in triplicates. Physiochemical parameters, heavy metal content, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total hydrocarbon content of the water in addition to heavy metal content and PAHs in fish, Shellfish and sediment were determined. The results of the physicochemical parameters showed that pH, total suspended solids, biological oxygen demand, turbidity and total hydrocarbon content of water were above FEPA permissible limits while chloride, nitrate and sulphate detected in water were within FEPA permissible limits. Dissolved oxygen was observed to be below FEPA permissible limit. The mean concentration of heavy metals and PAHs in sediment showed significant difference (p&lt;0.05) when compared with values for Shellfish and fish and were above FEPA and WHO permissible limits. Shellfish had higher concentrations of heavy metals and PAHs than fish. PAHs values in shellfish showed significant difference (p&lt;0.05). Heavy metals concentration in fish were above permissible limits except Cr, Zn and Pb. Concentration of PAHs in fish, shellfish, surface water and sediment were generally above FEPA and WHO permissible limits. This findings suggests high concentration of contaminants in Jike-Ama river.

Microplastics in water, sediment and fish from the Fengshan River system: Relationship to aquatic factors and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by fish

The occurrence of microplastics was investigated in water, sediment and fish from the Fengshan River system. All collected samples contained microplastics with 334–1058 items/m3 in the water samples, 508-3987 items/kg dry weight in the sediment samples and 14–94 items/fish in the fish samples. The spatial distribution of microplastics in water and sediments was attributed to anthropogenic discharges, flow dynamics, tidal exchanges and microplastic density. This was evidenced by significant correlations of microplastics with the river pollution index (RPI), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solid (SS), flow velocity and the presence of different polymer types of microplastics in water and sediment. Microplastic abundance in fish was correlated to SS, pH and conductivity, indicating that these water quality variables might affect bioavailability of microplastics to fish. Concentrations of microplastics/cm length of demersal fish at a higher trophic level (Leiognathus equulus and Pomadasys argenteus) were higher than those of a benthopelagic fish (Oreochromis niloticus niloticus). The significant relationships observed suggest that collected fish might prefer to ingest long fibrous microplastics from sediments and large fragmented microplastics from water. The high levels of 3- and 4-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly fluoranthene and pyrene, in fish muscle revealed that the collected fish species might have a high ability to accumulate these PAHs from food and the environment. Significant relationships between some PAHs in fish and microplastic abundances in water/sediments/fish suggested that these PAHs might be accumulated by fish from contaminated microplastics. This study provides unique information on the factors influencing the spatial distribution of microplastics and the role of microplastics on the accumulation of PAHs by fish.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fishes and some environmental samples on the coast of Ghana

Abstract. Osei-Yeboah E, Appiah-Opong R, Ofosuhene M. 2020. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fishes and some environmental samples on the coast of Ghana. Ocean Life 4: 4-16. The shift in industrialization in our society, including mining of coal and minerals, drilling for oil has led to the accumulation of xenobiotic products and natural chemical substances. The activities from mining and drilling have continuously contributed to the release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and lead to their deposition in coastal environments. The process ultimately leads to bioaccumulation in plants and animals, creating dangerous pollutants. PAHs is a well-known cause of cancer, mutation, and embryonic pathologies. In Jubilee oil fields, Ghana, oil drilling is ongoing. However, onshore baseline environmental assessment of PAHs has not yet been performed. In this study, we performed an environmental assessment of some communities bordering the oil drilling fields to establish (i) levels of fish DNA adduct formation of fishes, (ii) levels of PHA in soil, plants, water, and fish. Several fishes from three study areas showed the presence of micronuclei as evidence in the examination of blood smears, although their mean micronucleated frequencies were below the threshold frequency of 15%. There was no statistical difference between their mean frequencies using one-way ANOVA analysis with a p-value &lt; 0.05 except that of the data from one species, Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Linnaeus, 1766). Reverse-phase HPLC analysis of fish, water, plant and soil samples collected from six study sites was performed. Two fish species Pomadasys incisus (Bowdich, 1825) at Aboadze and Thunnus alalunga (Bonnaterre, 1788) from Dixcove recorded four and one PAH compound, respectively with concentrations above the maximum contaminant levels of 30 ?g/kg set by the USEPA. The mean concentration of PAHs in water samples from two of the four study areas ranged from 1.4 to 1255 ?g/L. All samples recorded concentrations above the threshold limit value of 50 ng/L set by the World Health Organization. Sixty plant samples were collected across the six study areas, and only Erythrina senegalensis DC. and Ficus umbellata Vahl recorded the presence of PAHs with concentrations in the range of 0.15-4.70 mg/kg. Soil samples were collected from two different depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. The mean concentration of PAHs in surface soils (0-15cm) ranged from 0.1 to 95 mg/Kg, with that at 15-30 cm ranging from 0.12 to 105 mg/kg. The PAH composition profile in all the samples was similar, with 2- 3 ring PAHs being dominant, which is suggestive of a petrogenic source.

In vitro and in silico AHR assays for assessing the risk of heavy oil-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish

In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, marine fish in Kesennuma Bay, Japan, have been contaminated with heavy oil containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To estimate the risk of six PAHs (benzo[α]pyrene, dibenzothiophene, phenanthrene, 2,3,5-trimethylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, and 1-methylphenanthrene), which have been detected at high levels in the tissues of fish from Kesennuma Bay, we attempted to evaluate the effects of these PAHs on the fish aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling pathway. We initially measured PAH concentrations and cytochrome P4501A catalytic activities (EROD: ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and MROD: methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase) as markers of AHR activation in greenlings (Hexagrammos otakii) collected from Kesennuma Bay in 2014. The results showed that alkylated PAH concentrations and EROD/MROD activities were higher in sites close to the oil-spilled sites than in the control site, suggesting AHR activation by spilled alkylated PAHs. We then investigated AHR-mediated responses to these PAHs in the in vitro reporter gene assay system where red seabream (Pagrus major) AHR1 (rsAHR1) or rsAHR2 expression plasmids were transiently transfected into COS-7 cells. The in vitro assay showed rsAHR isoform-, PAH-, and dose-dependent transactivation potencies. The relative effective concentrations of benzo[α]pyrene, dibenzothiophene, phenanthrene, 2,3,5-trimethylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, and 1-methylphenanthrene that induce 20% of the maximum benzo[α]pyrene response (REC20-BaP) for rsAHR1 activation were 0.052, 38, 79, 88, 270 nM, and no response, respectively, and those for rsAHR2 activation were 0.0049, 32, 53, 88, 60 nM, and no response, respectively. The results showed that the REC20-BaP values of benzo[α]pyrene for both the rsAHR1 and rsAHR2 isoforms were lower than the concentrations (0.041–0.20 nM) detected in the muscle tissue of fish from Kesennuma Bay, while the REC20-BaP values of other PAHs were higher than their tissue concentrations. In silico rsAHR homology modeling and subsequent ligand docking simulation analyses indicated that the rsAHR activation potencies of PAHs could be predicted from a rsAHR2 model. This study shows that in vitro and in silico rsAHR analyses may be a useful tool for assessing the risks to fish contaminated with PAHs.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons levels and potential biomarkers in a native South American marine fish

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) cause adverse effects on ecosystems and organisms from aquatic environments due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation characteristics. Furthermore, PAH exposure in fish can induce hepatic damage and physiological/biochemical disorders. The use of biomarkers can be a useful diagnostic tool to measure the health of an ecosystem, detecting alterations in organisms that can serve as early warning indicators of pollution. The present study assesses the levels of 17 PAHs in sediments and muscle of a wild fish (Cynoscion guatucupa) from the Bahia Blanca Estuary (BBE), Argentina. The concentrations of PAHs found in fish were correlated to lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARs), the activity of metabolic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) in liver and muscle tissues, and the condition factor (CF) to test their usefulness as integrated biomarkers of PAH pollution in field samples. Results showed most frequency of 2–3 ring PAHs and higher concentrations of 4 ring PAHs; total PAHs ranged from 11.27 to 52.80 ng.g−1 (w.w) for fish and 37.5 to 380.5 ng.g−1 (d.w) for sediments. Total PAHs in fish positively correlated to muscle TBAR levels (p<0.05), suggesting that lipid peroxidation could be produced by the pollutants. Moreover, total PAHs in fish muscle correlated positively with muscle LDH activity (p<0.01) and negatively with liver AST and ALT activities, suggesting a shift to anaerobic metabolism under stress conditions and possible hepatic damage in C. guatucupa, respectively. The minimum CF and the maximum growing coefficient were observed with maximum concentrations of total PAHs in muscle. According to the methods and data presented, we can propose TBARs, LDH, AST/ALT, and CF as integrated early warning tools to assess PAH pollution effects in the native commercial fish Cynoscion guatucupa in South American marine environments.

Validation of QuEChERS for screening of 4 marker polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish and malt

Application of QuEChERS as a new quick and easy method for screening of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was developed, validated and used for quantification (GC-QTOF-MS) of 4 PAHs, namely benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene. A clean-up step using Zirconium based dispersive SPE was applied. Validation based on spiked samples (0.5, 1 and 4 μg/kg) revealed a limit of quantification (LOQ) for the 4 PAH compounds in the range of 0.14–0.24 μg/kg for fish and 0.12–0.24 μg/kg for raw barley. Overall recoveries ranged from 88 to 117% with repeatability and in-house reproducibility from 2.6 to 16%. The method was applied to 9 malt samples which were found to contain the sum of 4 PAH from <0.36 μg/kg for raw barley to 26 μg/kg for peat smoked barley. For 5 smoked fish samples the sum of PAH4 ranged from <0.34 μg/kg for cold smoked salmon to 2.2 μg/kg for hot smoked mackerel. In general it was found that the method could be used as a fast screening for evaluation of smoked fish according to EU Commission maximum concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (2.0 μg/kg) and the sum of PAH4 (10 μg/kg).

The occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish and meat products of Croatia and dietary exposure

For the first time, the levels of benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), chrysene (CHR), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and their sum (PAH4) were investigated in a total of 180 samples of fish, shellfish and meat products produced in Croatia. In addition, dietary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) intake of adult Croatian consumers was estimated for both acute and chronic ingestion circumstances. None of the food samples exceeded the currently legal PAHs levels according to the European legislation. The mean PAH4 level was 1.47 μg/kg for meat and 1.48 μg/kg for shellfish products. The acute daily ingestion of BaP and PAH4 through meat and shellfish products was 2‒ to 7‒ fold higher in comparison to chronic intake, with meat products being the major contributors. Consequently, the evaluation of consumption patterns that used the margin-of-exposure approach indicated a negligible risk to human health.

Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments and some fish species from the Gulf of Suez, Egypt.

The present study evaluated the origin and distribution of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) included by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) within the priority pollutants were considered in the surface sediment as well as eleven fish species of Suez Gulf, Egypt. Sediment samples were collected at 0.5 and 10 meter depth from ten stations in addition to eleven fish species (Liza subviridis, Parupeneus forsskali, Upeneus japonicus, Lethrinus nebulosus, Stephanolepis diaspros, Epinephelus areolatu, Sphyraena chrysotaenia, Pomadasys stridens, Trachurus indicus, Saurida undosquamis, Engyprospon sp.). The concentrations of PAHs were measured by gas chromatography (GC) equipped with FID detector.The total concentration ∑16 PAHs ranged from1667.02 to 2671.27ng/g with the highest levels recorded at stations IV, VII and X (Ras Gharib, AionMousa and Abu Zanima). While the total concentration ∑16 PAHs in collected fish species ranged from 621 to 4207 ng/g wet weight with the highest ∑16 PAHs found in species Saurida undosquamis, while the lowest found in the species Stephanolepis diaspros. The high molecular weight PAHs (HPAHs) were predominant if compared with the low molecular weight PAHs (LPAHs). With LPAHs/HPAHs values less than one for all studied species indicating anthropogenic origin of PAHs in fish. Furthermore, the study of the PAHs diagnostic ratios suggests the predominance of pyrolytic origin for the studied PAHs.

Human Health Risk Assessment of PAHs in Fish and Shellfish from Amariaria Community, Bonny River, Nigeria

The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Fish (Mullet fish-Mugil cephalus) and Shellfish (Tiger prawn-Penaeus Monodon and crab-Uca tangeri) samples from fishing areas in Amariaria Community, downstream of Bonny River, Southern Nigeria, were assessed to determine possible human health risk associated with consumption. Mean levels (mg/kg) of total PAHs ranged from 0.059 to 0.126 in fish, 0.015 to 0.106 in prawn and 0.057 to 0.063 in crab. A considerable predominance of the 3 and 4-rings PAHs in all the matrices was observed with benzo (a) anthracene dominating in all three species. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of PAHs through consumption of fish ranged from 0 to 0.0005 mg/kg/day, for prawn, 0 to 0.0002 mg/kg/day and for crab, 0 to 0.0002 mg/kg/day. EDI values were, however, lower than the reference dose (RfD) indicating low risk from consumption. Results of the estimated excess cancer risk (ECR) for Benzo (a) anthracene in fish, however, suggests that lifetime exposure to Benzo (a) anthracene through fish consumption would result in cancer risk.