Concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments from the Tampamachoco lagoon, Tuxpan River mouth, Gulf of Mexico

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic chemicals that consist of carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, which are considered as high-priority persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Their source is due to an incomplete burning of fossil fuels and organic materials. In the present study, the distribution and concentrations of 16 priority PAHs in sediments of the Tampamachoco lagoon and Tuxpan River estuary at the Gulf of Mexico were analyzed. The surface sediment samples were collected during the dry (March–June) and rainy (August–November) seasons. PAHs were analyzed by means of a gas capillary chromatography-FID. In dry season, the average concentration of PAHs in sediments was 860 ± 390 ng/g, and in rainy season, it was 1140 ± 450 ng/g. During both seasons, the total concentration of chrysene was high and a domain of the compounds with 4 benzene rings was observed. The source of PAHs was investigated in 78.6% of the lagoon sites. 45.5% revealed indicators of a mixed origin between pyrolytic and petrogenic sources, and 36.4% was petrogenic, and the remaining 18.2% was pyrolytic PAHs.