Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Perna viridis, in Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba

Green mussel, Perna viridis, was used to measure bioaccumulated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Cienfuegos Bay. Mussels were collected from four sites between November 2009 and November 2010. Sixteen individual PAHs compound controlled by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentration for phenanthrene ranged from 22.14 to 43.04 mu g/kg (wet weight), for fluorene 5.19-9.33 mu g/kg (wet weight), and 3.47-15.97 mu g/kg (wet weight) for fluoranthene. The overall concentration levels of PAH in this study are comparable to sites with low pollution levels around the world and its composition suggests a contribution from petrogenic sources. According to European Regulation No. 835/2011, the concentration levels of PAHs found are safe for human consumption of mussels in Cienfuegos Bay. These results contribute to the database of the Caribbean region because the information about the contamination for PAHs is scarce in bivalves, in Cuba.