Port Activities Research Articles

Assessment of environmental degradation on the Mostaganem Plateau Algeria: A critical analysis of soil and water resources

This study underscores the importance of accounting for spatial dimensions and temperatures in evaluating payments and environmental interactions. Exploiting natural spaces can foster sustainable development, especially in vulnerable areas, but urbanization poses significant challenges. The Mostaganem Plateau, spanning 78,100 hectares with diverse landscapes, is highly sensitive to environmental pressures like abrasion. Urbanization, agriculture, industry, deforestation, and heavy port activities threaten its biodiversity. Using the plateau as a diagnostic tool helps identify the main causes of its deterioration. Analyzing agricultural and industrial impacts on soil and water highlights the severity of the situation. These analyses, along with in-depth geographic studies, reveal the complex decomposition processes driven by natural and human factors. Implementing effective political policies and management practices is crucial to counter negative influences and promote sustainable development. Protecting the Mostaganem Plateau's fragile ecosystem requires vigilant efforts from the scientific community and social and economic stakeholders. Addressing environmental and ecological impacts is essential for long-term development. Practical responses are needed to mitigate severe degradation and preserve the plateau's environmental integrity for future generations. The study emphasizes the urgent need for monitoring and intervention to safeguard this vulnerable region, ensuring its sustainability and resilience against ongoing threats. Protecting the Mostaganem Plateau's fragile ecosystem requires vigilant efforts from the scientific community and social and economic stakeholders. Addressing environmental and ecological impacts is crucial for long-term development. Practical responses are needed to mitigate severe degradation and preserve the plateau's environmental integrity for future generations.

Analysis of delays in the container loading and unloading process at the stevedoring stage at PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Regional 2 Pangkal Balam

This research aims to identify and overcome factors that hinder loading and unloading activities at PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Regional 2 Pangkal Balam. This research uses a qualitative approach with primary data sources obtained through interviews, direct observation, and secondary data from related documents at the port office. Some problems faced in the loading and unloading process at Pangkal Balam Port include equipment damage, truck queues, weather conditions and sea tides. These factors have a negative impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the stevedoring process, resulting in delays in the delivery of goods and losses for exporters and importers. Efforts to reduce these obstacles include improved equipment maintenance, better organization of truck queues, and adaptation to weather and tidal conditions. This research also emphasizes the importance of continuously evaluating existing operational procedures to increase the productivity and satisfaction of port service users. The results of this research can be a reference for PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Regional 2 Pangkal Balam in improving port services so that goods can be delivered on time and service users are not disadvantaged. Thus, ports can function optimally as efficient and effective port activity centres.

Achieving sustainable development goals through digitalization in ports

AbstractSustainable development is crucial to ports due to the interconnection between port activities, the economy, and the environment. This study aims to explore how port digitalization initiatives played the role of promoting sustainable development. To this purpose, the author/authors adopted a mixed methods approach using as database the World Ports Sustainability Program, which features 74 port digitalization initiatives. The first step focused on a quantitative analysis of the distribution of said initiatives in terms of sustainable development goals, followed by a thematic analysis to explore their contribution. The findings indicate that more than 72% of ports addressed sustainable development goals 8, 9, 13, and 17. Digitalization initiatives in ports have mainly focused on improving their infrastructure and operational performance, enabling them to address climate change challenges. This work also recognized the role that partnerships can play in achieving this goal.

ANALYSIS OF THE UTILIZATION OF THE HARBOR AREA AT THE PORT OF TANJUNG PERAK

Tanjung Perak Port is the initial gateway to Surabaya which handles more than 40% of international goods trade. In this case, the Kertosusilo Gate Area (GKS) has a very important position with its sea area having the busiest shipping lanes in Indonesia with 15,409 vessels operating at the end of 2021. The dense distribution of port activities in sea transportation creates complex problems which impact on delays in cargo delivery in Tanjung Perak Harbor. Problems that arise include sedimentation due to the construction of the Maspion Indonesia Port terminal, narrowing of sea water and changes in sea area which causes narrowing of the Madura Strait sea area, as well as complaints from port users regarding shipping lanes, anchoring areas in terms of depth, area, Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), services. ship guidance and security. Based on these problems, research was carried out on the utilization and needs of the anchorage area at Tanjung Perak Port. Starting with conducting research preparation, collecting data by compiling data related to the general picture of economic growth, especially in the East Java region as well as operational technicalities and conditions of the Tanjung Perak port. So that we can obtain the results of utilization research for a docking area capacity of 20,330 ships per year with a utility value of the docking area at Tanjung Perak Port of 73.5%.

Pengembangan Pelabuhan Perikanan “Tanjung Adikarto” di Kabupaten Kulonprogo dengan Pendekatan Arsitektur Ekologi

In the context of carrying out fisheries activities, the Tanjung Adikarto Fishing Port does not fully meet the requirements as a Coastal Fishing Port (Type C). Complete facilities such as cold storage, shops, ship maintenance and fishing equipment, as well as places for handling and processing fishery products are still not available, while several other facilities also do not meet adequate standards. In this section, the author will describe the actual conditions of the facilities at Tanjung Adikarto Port and their comparison with the standard facilities that a Coastal Port (Type C) should have. This is the first step to evaluate what needs to be improved in order to increase the capacity and feasibility of the port to support more optimal fishing activities. Observations of the existing condition of the port have revealed several problems that need attention. Buildings that are damaged and uninhabitable are one of the main issues that need to be addressed immediately. The aim is not only to ensure port operations run optimally, but also to align port activities with environmental sustainability, so that their contribution to the community's economy can be realized in a sustainable manner.

The Readiness Of Shipping Companies In Tegal Region To Implement IMO Regulations In The Field Of Marine Pollution Prevention

Marine pollution that occurs due to ship waste increasingly threatens Indonesian waters. Sources of marine pollution are caused by shipping and port activities. Handling this pollution must be carried out with facilities and infrastructure holding marine pollution in accordance with international standards on board ships and at loading and unloading ports, so competent professionals are also needed in their fields. The purpose of this study is to determine and analyze the readiness of shipping companies in the Tegal region to face IMO rules in the field of marine pollution prevention. The study used qualitative description methods by conducting observations, interviews, and literature. Based on the results of the research, it was found that the problem that occurred was administrative; companies related to human resources could meet competencies. Shipping agents in the Tegal area are limited to serving ship document management, while the procurement or repair of pollution prevention equipment is under the authority of the ship owner through his representative, who will conduct a survey when the ship carries out docking/repair at TUKS or Tersus. There are still docking companies that handle the remaining sludge waste from OWS, which is landfilled, so if it accumulates a lot, it can cause soil pollution. The lack of public awareness and limited facilities and infrastructure for ship waste management in the port area are problems for the government and other stakeholders at the port.

Biogeochemical Response of the Water Column of Concepción Bay, Chile, to a New Regime of Atmospheric and Oceanographic Variability

Concepción Bay is a socio-economic and ecologically important embayment whose hydrographic variability has been historically regulated by wind-modulated seasonal upwelling events during spring–summer and by freshwater from precipitation and river discharges during fall–winter. This system is subject to several anthropogenic and environmental strains due to the intense port activity and the increasing occurrence of extreme natural events. This study determines a new hydrographic regime and characterizes and analyzes the biogeochemical response of the water column to changes in rainfall and upwelling patterns. Despite the intrusion of nitrate-rich upwelled waters that enhance biological productivity remains more intense during spring–summer, the system remains fertilized year-long due to the occurrence of persistent upwelling pulses during fall–winter. The hydrographic structure presented a two-layer water column that was stratified thermally in spring–summer and primarily by freshwater inputs in fall–winter. Nevertheless, the regular pattern of the rainfall has changed (a decrease in precipitation and an increased frequency of extreme rainfall events), together with recurrent upwelling-favorable wind pulses during the non-upwelling season. This new regime has altered the seasonality of the physicochemical conditions and the structure of the microplanktonic communities, with productive and sanitary implications affecting the biogeochemical status of CB.

Developing a roadmap for implementing digital transformation to improve the resilience of port operations

The aim of this study is to create a comprehensive guide for achieving operational resilience in port operations through digital transformation. Port activities face significant challenges on a global scale, stemming from the complexity of operations and the occurrence of undesirable events that can disrupt the continuity of operations. To understand the current practices of digital transformation for operational resilience, this study draws upon systems theory, resource-based theory, and dynamic capabilities theory as foundational frameworks. The "fit-for-purpose" methodology is employed to adapt the method (cross-referencing) and the approach (metanarrative) in order to align with the research objective. The findings reveal that a roadmap for digital transformation, with a focus on resilience, consists of three key narratives: (1) evaluation and planning, which involves identifying goals, strategies, acquiring resources, and establishing governance; (2) implementation, which includes testing and integrating new technologies, as well as training employees; and (3) monitoring and evaluation, which entails tracking and assessing progress, and making necessary adjustments. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these steps is contingent upon gradually scaling projects, prioritizing critical challenges, and obtaining support from stakeholders.

Ambient Air Quality Assessment through Air Quality Index and Air Quality Health Index for Eastern Coastal Region, Gandhidham, Gujarat, India

The impact of coastal developmental projects such as ports on regional air quality has been a matter of concern, as they are known to induce rapid industrialization and urbanization as collateral development on a long-term basis. Gandhidham-Kachchh, Gujarat, India is hub for industrialization, thus various developmental activities and port activities may release toxic gases into the environment. Thus, an attempt was made to assess the present ambient air quality in and around eastern coastal region of Gandhidham, Gujarat using Air Quality Index (AQI) and Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). The primary focus was on respirable particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) along with other gaseous pollutants. In total 134 samples were collected from 11 stations during January to December 2018. Sampling was carried out 24 hourly on a monthly basis. Respirable particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide ranged from 29-401 µg/m3, 13-184 µg/m3, 5.9-92.6 µg/m3and 3.7-33 µg/m3, respectively. The annual mean concentrations varied from 118-227 µg/m3, 47-82 µg/m3, 10-51 µg/m3, 11-41 µg/m3 for PM10, PM2.5, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, respectively. In most of the sampling locations both the particulate matter fractions exceeded the permissible limit as prescribed in National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The AQI ranged from 28 to 106, which falls under Good and Satisfactory category of pollution as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards except at A-11 which falls under Moderate category. The AQHI was in the range of 5.9 to 15.8, which was alarming indicating Moderate to Very Higher Risk to the people. The present findings throw light on the prevailing scenario in the ambient air quality of the studied region, thereby suggesting for strict implementation and thorough control measures for reduction of particulate matters in the air.

Assessment of parent and alkyl -PAHs in surface sediments of Iranian mangroves on the northern coast of the Persian Gulf: Spatial accumulation distribution, influence factors, and ecotoxicological risks

Spatial patterns, potential origins, and ecotoxicological risk of alkylated (APAH) –and parent –(PPAH) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in mangrove surface sediments along the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf, Iran. The mean total concentrations (ngg−1dw) ∑32PAH, ∑PPAHs and ∑APAHs in sediments were 3482 (1689–61228), 2642 (1109–4849), and 840 (478–1273), respectively. The spatial variability was similar among these PAH groups, with the highest levels occurring in Nayband National Marine Park (NNMP). Physicochemical environmental factors, such as sediment grain size, and total organic carbon (TOC) contents, are significant factors of PAH distribution. These findings suggest that PAH pollution level is moderate-to-high, supporting the current view that mangrove ecosystems are under intensive anthropogenic impacts, such as petrochemical, oil and gas loads, port activities, and urbanization. Non-parametric multidimensional scaling (NPMDS) ordination demonstrated that NNMP mangrove is the critical site exhibiting high loading of PAH pollutants. Here, for the first time in this region, Soil quality guidelines (SQGs), Toxic equivalency quotient (TEQ), Mutagenic equivalency quotient (MEQ), and composition indices comprising Mean maximum permissible concentration quotient (m-MPC-Q), and Mean effect range median quotient (m-ERM-Q) methods were used to have a comprehensive risk assessment for PAH compounds and confirmed medium-to-high ecological risks of PAHs in the study area, particularly in the western part of the Gulf, highlighting the industrial impacts on the environment.

Impact of oil-extraction/port activities on distribution and exchange of PAHs/APAHs/NPAHs/OPAHs in water and sediment of the Yellow River Delta, China

The Yellow River Delta (YRD) is rich in oil, natural gas, and land resources. With the expansion of an important oil production base in North China, the increased discharge of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylated/nitrated/oxygenated PAHs (APAHs/NPAHs/OPAHs) into the Yellow River poses a potential risk to the aquatic ecosystem and human health. A total of 42 samples were gathered from trunk streams and tributaries within the YRD region during the wet and dry seasons, and 19 PAHs, 5 APAHs, 16 NPAHs, and 7 OPAHs were measured. The concentrations of ƩPAHs, ƩAPAHs, ƩNPAHs and ƩOPAHs ranged between 29 and 620 ng/L, 6.9–81 ng/L, 0.64–9.0 ng/L, and 7.2–81 ng/L in water, respectively, and 27–420 ng/g, 5.1–130 ng/g, 0.19–1.8 ng/g and 3.9–51 ng/g in sediment, respectively. The oil extraction activities resulted in an increased presence of middle-high molecular weight PAHs and APAHs in sediment, and port activities had a notable influence on the proportion of 1-Methylpyrene in both water and sediments. The fugacity fraction analysis suggested that sediments was a secondary source of OPAHs, while benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and 5-methylchrysene migrated from water to sediment. The main contributors to PAHs, APAHs, NPAHs, and OPAHs in water and sediment were combustion and petroleum sources. Compared to water, sediment displayed a heightened ecological risk associated with PAHs, APAHs, NPAHs, and OPAHs. And adults residing in the YRD region were at higher risk of cancer than children which deserve special attention.

TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS OF SATELLITE-BASED TRACE GASES CONCENTRATIONS IN PORT AREAS IN THE PHILIPPINES USING SENTINEL-5P

Abstract. This study examined the temporal variations of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) concentrations retrieved from Sentinel-5P TROPOMI in six port areas in the Philippines, representing different climate types. The results demonstrate that the COVID-19 lockdowns led to a significant decrease in NO2 levels, while SO2 concentrations varied due to factors such as volcanic activity. Seasonal analysis of NO2 and SO2 retrievals, considering the four climate types in the Philippines, revealed that the wet season values for both pollutants were higher than the dry season values for most ports. This disparity contradicted the general trend of higher air pollutant levels during the dry season and lower levels during the wet season. The authors attributed this to the nature of port activities during inclement weather, where ships are more likely to be docked with continuously operating engines, leading to continuous emissions within the port buffer zones. Temporal analysis and time series decomposition analysis revealed patterns and trends, identifying the months of minimum and maximum pollutant concentrations and the overall trend throughout the study period.

Cognitive Modeling of Cargo Port Risk Management

Рurpose of research. Increasing the efficiency of cargo port business processes through the use of risk management technology based on the application of a cognitive modeling.Methods. A cognitive modeling of cargo port risk management is proposed, based on a comprehensive step-by-step application of the concept of multi-level goal setting, which involves a thorough elaboration of the cargo port's goals, as well as indicators for assessing the achievability of goals by developing a balanced scorecard (BSS) and constructing a logicalprobabilistic (LP) model; a logical-ontological model developed on the basis of the connections established by the LP model; a simulation model used to check recommendations for adjusting the elements of the system under consideration, developed on the basis of queries to the ontological model, in order to select the most acceptable options for recommendations or combinations thereof and formulate management decisions based on them. Results. Based on the formulated purpose of the study and the assigned tasks, a concept of cognitive modeling was developed, which involves the use of knowledge about the connections between risks, goals, indicators for assessing port activities, as well as clarifying coefficients and the nature of their influence on each other in order to develop recommendations for managing the risks of a cargo port at based on queries to the ontological model. The simulation model within the framework of the proposed conceptual approach allows us to develop management decisions on adjusting the operational components of the system in order to prevent risk situations in the long term (at the tactical and strategic levels) taking into account the influence of external factors. Cognitive modeling is based in this work on the integration of logical-probabilistic, logical-ontological and simulation modeling. Conclusion. As a result of the implementation of the set goals and objectives, a cognitive model of cargo port risk management was proposed. This model combines various types of modeling and takes into account different levels of management. As a result of experiments with a simulation model, the most effective recommendations generated based on a query to the ontological model are selected as management decisions.

Public administration for green port development strategy

The maritime sector is crucial for socioeconomic development and safeguarding the internal security and defense of the country. Ecosystems may be harmed by dredging and ship activities at ports. Services at seaports for transporting passengers and cargo are believed to be responsible for releasing approximately 20% of worldwide waste into the sea. Increased port activities heighten the risk of pollution, leading to a substantial adverse effect on the ecosystem. Thus, the goal is to prevent environmental contamination and construct sustainable seaports to balance environmental conservation and economic growth. However, there is no universal approach for constructing green ports globally, as it varies based on the specific circumstances of each seaport. A comprehensive set of documents and legislation aimed at reducing pollution in permeable ecosystems in Vietnam has been assembled, especially the Green Port Development Project and recommendations have been provided following a comparison with worldwide case studies. Additional improvements are needed in green concession policies, minimizing ship and inland transport idling and terminal waiting times, and carbon capture and storage.

Investigation of port intervention to coastal and nearshore dynamics: a GIS and AHP approach.

The goal of the study was attempted to understand the impact of selected ports on the coastal and nearshore dynamics. Dwelling activities along the coastal zone were particularly high in the last two decades. Hence, ports constructed between 2000 and 2022 such as Mundra, Hazira, Karaikal, Krishnapatnam, Gangavaram, and Gopalpur were considered for the study. The land and shore dynamics were assessed prior and after their construction. The landward impact was identified by the changes in LULC, and the dynamics of coastal sediments were assessed from numerical model before and after the ports' construction. The highly impacted land and shore features were used in analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to assess the extent of their impact due to port construction. The extent of impacts was indicated as "criteria weight (CW)" expressed as percentage. Village-wise local sensitivity analysis (LSA) of the port environs due to port activities was also assessed with six parameters such as changes in LULC, cyclone, population, road network, cultural heritage site and shore stability based on their influence on the coast on case-by-case basis using AHP. The obtained influence of the impact of these parameters was used to determine the category of local sensitivity of the adjacent villages around the ports. For effective management planning, the LSA was classified into five classes, namely, very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. Villages categorized with different sensitivities can be attempted for suitable management plans and similar studies can be attempted for all villages impacted by port interventions.

The Impact of sedimentation of mud, sand and rubbish on sustainability of the Asahan River, North Sumatera

The Asahan River, burdened by thick sedimentation, severely impacts the socio-economic fabric of Asahan Regency and Tanjungbalai. Shallow waters disrupt community life, particularly for fishermen, while the river’s estuary facilitates smuggling due to inadequate police and navy patrols. This study investigates the extensive social, economic, and environmental consequences of sedimentation on riverside communities and assesses its toll on economic activities at Teluk Nibung Port and Bagan Asahan Harbor.Conducted in four phases, the research involves data collection from local governments, a physical examination of the river, surveys and interviews with farmers and fishermen, and a Focus Group Discussion with community leaders. Findings highlight adverse effects on socio-economic life, including annual floods and a shift in livelihoods for some fishermen. Escalating rainfall trends over the past decades signal increased flood risks. Port activities show a decline, projected to cease within five years if unaddressed. Proposing dredging as a solution, the study advocates for restoring the economic conditions of Asahan Regency and Tanjungbalai while concurrently revitalizing the river’s ecosystem. The cost of flood mitigation underscores the urgency of intervention.

Port call extraction from vessel location data for characterising harbour traffic

Ports are essential facilities for the functioning of our globalised economy, as well as for the territories they supply. Monitoring port activity is therefore a relevant way of assessing the economic intensity they generate, and enabling regional analyses of their relative weight, their areas of activity and their development trajectories. However, comparative analysis of port activity is hampered by the variable quality and uneven distribution of the data produced by port authorities, which is far from being homogeneous, which makes comparative approaches difficult. In this paper, using vessel positioning data obtained through the Automatic Identification System (AIS), we propose a method for the extraction, quantification and qualification of port calls. We apply this method to a dataset in the Caribbean, covering the whole of 2019. Our method was able to describe the activity of 101 ports (in the sense of port areas) in the Lesser Antilles, by identifying 171,626 calls and their duration, by 5,907 ships of various type, size, age or flag. A comparison with the statistics published by a number of reference ports authorities and by the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) shows that the median difference of computed port calls is about 11%, thus validating the proposed approach. By qualifying the type of vessel that passes through port waters, according to its characteristics, this approach based on the number of calls makes it possible to observe the capabilities and the infrastructural quality deployed in the ports in terms of vessels, and, stemming from it, to develop the hypothesis of port vulnerability, that is a perspective for our future work.

Assessment of the ecological quality status of the Sepetiba Bay (SE Brazil): When metabarcoding meets morphology on foraminifera

In recent years, the region surrounding Sepetiba Bay (SB; SE Brazil) has become a hub of intense urban expansion and economic exploitation in response to ore transport and industrial and port activities. As a result, contaminants have been introduced into the bay, leading to an overall worsening of the environmental quality. The present work applies for the first time a foraminiferal morphology-based approach (M) and eDNA-based metabarcoding sequencing (G), along with geochemical data to assess the ecological quality status (EcoQS) in the SB. Principal component analysis shows that the eDNA and morphospecies diversity as well as most of the taxa relative abundance decline in response to the environmental stress (ES) gradient related to total organic carbon (TOC) and metal pollution. Based on ecological indices, Exp(H'bc) (G), Exp(H'bc) (M), foraminifera ATZI marine biotic index (Foram-AMBI), Foram Stress Index (FSI), and geochemical indices (TOC and Potential Ecological Risk Index), the lowest values of EcoQS (i.e., bad to moderate) are inferred in the innermost part of the SB. Despite minor discrepancies among the six EcoQS indices, an agreement has been found for 63% of the stations. To improve the agreement between the ecological indices, it is necessary to fill the gap in species ecology; information on the ecology of many species is still unknown. This work reinforces the importance of molecular analysis and morphological methods in environmental impact studies and confirms the reliability of foraminiferal metabarcoding in EcoQS assessment. This is the first study evaluating the EcoQS in the South Atlantic by using combined foraminiferal eDNA metabarcoding with morphological data.

Aerosolized algal bloom toxins are not inert.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are projected to become increasingly prevalent, extending over longer periods and wider geographic regions due to the warming surface ocean water and other environmental factors, including but not limited to nutrient concentrations and runoff for marine and freshwater environments. Incidents of respiratory distress linked to the inhalation of marine aerosols containing HAB toxins have been documented, though the risk is typically associated with the original toxins. However, aerosolized toxins in micrometer and submicrometer particles are vulnerable to atmospheric processing. This processing can potentially degrade HAB toxins and produce byproducts with varying potencies compared to the parent toxins. The inhalation of aerosolized HAB toxins, especially in conjunction with co-morbid factors such as exposure to air pollutants from increased commercial activities in ports, may represent a significant exposure pathway for a considerable portion of the global population. Understanding the chemistry behind the transformation of these toxins can enhance public protection by improving the existing HAB alert systems.

High levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Date Mussel (Lithophaga lithophaga) from Bizerte coast (northern Tunisia): Sources and human health risk implications

The date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga is protected by law in Tunisia. Still, illegal consumption of this luxury seafood has increased over time due to high demand and high prices, which have made the species regularly available in the seafood market of Bizerte, putting wild stocks at risk of decline. To raise public awareness of the risks to human health associated with the consumption of this bivalve, 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified in the soft tissue of the species, which was collected from two sites of high fishery pressure in the bay and lagoon of Bizerte. Total PAHs concentrations differ significantly between the studied sites ranging from 0.45 to 546.05 μg g−1 d.w., and were associated with port activity and the petroleum industry. The benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalent factor and excess cancer risk showed both high values exceeding permissible limits in the polluted site. These findings provide valuable information regarding the distribution of PAHs in mussels from wild ecosystems that could be useful to prevent consumer intoxication and improve awareness against illegal harvesting of this species.