Dietary intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from coral reef fish in the Persian Gulf — human health risk assessment

Abstract The present study investigated accumulation of petrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑39PAHs) in the livers and muscles of three coral-reef fish (50 specimens) from the Persian Gulf, Kharg Island (Iran), specifically Lethrinus microdon (n=18), Lutjanus argentimaculatus (n=17), and Scomberomorus guttatus (n=15). For all fish, PAHs originated mostly from petroleum and combustion sources. Concentrations of ∑PAHs were 1004 ngg-1 freeze-dried weight (fdw) and 1390 ngg-1 fdw for liver and muscle, respectively. The biota-sediment accumulation factor of 20181 and equivalent concentrations of ∑PAHs (liver) were highest for L. argentimaculatus. Most of the abundant PAHs identified were low molecular weight (LMW-PAH) (liver > muscle) with 2-3 aromatic ring. Results for the human health risk assessment concluded the probability of PAHs intake via fish consumption was considerable in this area (lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) > 1 x 10-5; hazard quotients (HQs) >1; hazard index (HI) ≈6; the excess cancer risk (ECR) >1 × 10−6) and, therefore, comprehensive management and long-term monitoring is needed.