PAHs in Sediments from Amazon Mangrove and Oyster Farming Areas: Sources, Ecological Risks and Potential Toxicity

Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and ToxicologyLast synced 5/26/2026Status: syncedPMID: 42177377 pmidDOI: 10.1007/s00128-026-04264-5

Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were examined in mangrove sediments from three Amazonian municipalities, known for port operation, fish market (Curuçá), oyster production (Augusto Corrêa) and tourism (Salinópolis). ∑PAH concentrations (4.55–1303 ng gdry sediment; mean: 246 ± 644) indicated low to moderate contamination, in the order: Curuçá ≫ Salinópolis > Augusto Corrêa, with the maxima near natural oyster banks (Curuçá) and lowest in the oyster farming area (Augusto Corrêa). Contamination sources and apportionment were investigated using diagnostic ratios and multivariate analysis, estimating 30% from fossil fuel combustion, 59% from biomass/coal burning and 11% from petrogenic and natural sources. Carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene-equivalent toxicity was below threshold guidelines, but dibenzo[a,h]anthracene exceeded ecological risks and integrative indices in Curuçá and Salinópolis samples. A potential PAH transfer risk from suspended sediments to oyster may occur. Our results contribute to the local socioeconomic basis with environmental quality dataset and baseline PAHs in mangrove areas. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00128-026-04264-5. Abs1

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