PCBs and PAHs in surficial sediments from aquatic environments of Mexico city and the coastal states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Oaxaca and Veracruz (Mexico)

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in 13 surficial sediment samples collected at three lacustrine locations in the surroundings of Mexico City and four coastal areas of the States of Sinaloa, Sonora, Oaxaca and Veracruz. Total PCB concentrations span the interval 3.18–621 ng g −1. The highest values (63.7–621 ng g −1) were found in Mexico City, which is a highly anthropogenically impacted area, whereas low concentrations (3.18–12.9 ng g −1) were characteristic of seven places, some of them subject to intense hydrodynamics. In these latter cases, values increase by 18–73 times if normalised against the fine fraction (silt plus clay) content in sediment. Two samples from Mexico City exceed the ERM (Effect Range Median) guidelines and are likely to cause adverse effects. Samples contain only lower chlorinated PCBs (mainly 2-, 3- and 4-CB), thus suggesting that the most used PCB commercial mixture was Aroclor 1242. The homologue composition of the sample taken close to the nuclear power plant of Laguna Verde is identical to this commercial mixture. PAHs in the same samples have relatively low concentrations (14.9–287 ng g −1), well below ERL (Effect Range Low) guidelines. The composition of PAH mixtures accounts for the influence of both petrogenic and pyrolitic sources, with these latter prevailing at some places in Mexico City.