Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mangrove ecosystems: A review

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 311; p. 119959
• Main Authors: Robin, Sarah Louise, Marchand, Cyril
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.10.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anthropogenic contaminants; bioaccumulation; carcinogenicity; Environmental Sciences; food webs; human health; hydrophobicity; Mangrove forests; mutagens; Oil pollution; Organic pollutants; pollution; soil; toxicology; United States Environmental Protection Agency; Mangrove forests; Organic pollutants; Anthropogenic contaminants; Oil pollution; oil pollution; anthropogenic contaminants; mangrove forests; organic pollutants
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119959

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants of increasing concern in the different fields of the environment and human health. There are 16 of them that are recognized as priority pollutants by the US environmental protection agency due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic potentials. Due to their hydrophobicity and stability, they are persistent in the environment and can be transported over long distances. Their toxicological effects on multiple species, including humans, as well as their bioaccumulation in the food web became major topics in organic pollutants research this last decade. In the environment, multiple studies have been conducted on their accumulation in the soil and their degradation processes resulting in numerous review papers. However, the dynamics of PAHs in mangrove ecosystems is not yet completely understood. In this review paper, an exhaustive presentation of what is known about PAHs and their transfer, accumulation, and degradation in mangrove ecosystems is offered. This article brings to light the knowledge already acquired on the subject and the perspective research necessary to fully comprehend PAHs dynamics in mangrove ecosystems. [Display omitted] •PAHs in mangrove ecosystems potentially represent a threat to human health.•Urbanization of coastal areas enhances PAHs inputs into mangrove ecosystems.•PAHs dynamics in mangrove sediments depend on multiple abiotic factors.•PAHs can be transferred to mangrove trees and impact their vital processes.•Microbial degradation is the main process of PAHs degradation in mangrove sediments.