First assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons contamination and associated human health risk in Mullet (Liza aurata) from Tunisia: case of Bizerte and Ghar El Melh Lagoons

Abstract Data about the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biota from Tunisian coastal ecosystems is scarce. To our knowledge, this is the first work to report these chemicals in the biota of Ghar El Melh Lagoon. In Liza aurata muscle from Bizerte and Ghar El Melh Lagoons (Tunisia), levels of 15 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured.Total PAH levels in mullet from Bizerte and Ghar El Melh Lagoons were comparable to or lower than those found in other fish specimens from around the globe. The nature of the detected chemicals reveals petrogenic and pyrolytic anthropogenic contamination in both studied lagoons.Threat to human health caused by mullet consumption was assessed and it was observed that PAH intakes don’t threat to local population's health.