Sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish samples from the North-West Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea coast of Yemen.

Abstract

Fish samples were taken from both Red Sea-coast of Yemen and the North-West Region of the Arabian Gulf for determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) using capillary gas chromatography. The study revealed measurable levels of PAHs in muscles of edible fishes collected from both areas. The source of PAHs is mainly petrogenic originating from oil spillage, refinery effluents, and/or heavy ship traffic. This study indicates that the accumulation of PAHs in the collected fish samples was very low, and it may not represent a serious hazard on human health at present, however, long term exposure via diet may impose certain undesirable health consequences. These concentrations are within the range of PAHs values reported for other comparable regional samples.