POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN EDIBLE TISSUE OF FISH FROM THE GULF AFTER THE 1991 OIL-SPILL

Concentrations of 10 PAHs were determined in the edible parts of fish collected during April 1992 on Leg IV of the NOAA-R/V Mt. Mitchell scientific cruise from four locations along the western side of the Gulf. The average total amount of PAHs was 105.3 mug kg-1 dry wt, with a range 2.51-563.6 mug kg-1 dry wt. The average concentrations of PAHs in fish from stations E (north Abu Ali), F (south Abu Ali), G (Rennie Shoals) and I (Qatar) were 165.9, 91.7, 55.8 and 108.6 mug kg-1 respectively. The slightly elevated average concentration of total PAHs in samples from station E shows that north Abu Ali was the most oil impacted area. Pyrene and phenanthrene were detected most frequently (in 75% of the fish) whereas chrysene and benz(a)anthracene had the lowest frequency of detection (in 5% of the fish). Based on qualitative classification of PAH carcinogenicity, detected PAHs classified as having sufficient or limited evidence for carcinogenicity [benz(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene and chrysenel were lower in concentration and frequency of detection than those classified as having insufficient or no evidence for carcinogenicity (fluoranthene, anthracene, phenanthracene and pyrene).