Navigating the PAH maze: Bioaccumulation, risks, and review of the quality guidelines in marine ecosystems with a spotlight on the Brazilian coastline

This review delves into the intricate world of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their bio-accumulation in marine organisms. It explores how physicochemical attributes of individual compounds, along with metabolic oxidation and elimination processes, influence this bioaccumulation. The review further in-vestigates the risks and toxicity associated with PAHs in marine organisms. Subsequently, sediment and water quality guidelines used to assess the potential for adverse effects from PAH exposure are discussed exposing significant differences in the methodological approaches used to establish the guidelines, which can lead to discrepancies in the values used to compare PAH concentrations and limitations to their use. Emphasis is placed on the criteria employed in establishing these guidelines, rooted in adverse effects data linked to PAHs, and efforts to establish local quality guidelines for a tropical area are described. This exploration serves to enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between PAHs and marine ecosystems, informing more effective environmental management strategies.

Automated summary

This review thoroughly examines the bioaccumulation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine organisms, including the influence of their physicochemical attributes, metabolic processes, and associated risks and toxicity. It also discusses the discrepancies in methodological approaches used for establishing sediment and water quality guidelines, emphasizing the criteria based on adverse effects data linked to PAHs. Efforts in establishing local quality guidelines for a tropical area are described.