DETERMINATION OF PAHs IN FISHERY PRODUCTS BY GC-MS IN THE MOROCCAN COAST

Being widespread and highly likely to cause adverse biological effects, PAHs have been the subject of several studies and evaluation. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a series of hydrocarbons with the carbon atoms are arranged in benzene cycles united to each other, they pose a significant toxicological risk even at low concentrations, related especially to their carcinogenic and/or mutagenic properties. In addition, PAHs are part of some biodegradable contaminants which makes them persistent in natural environments. Thus, their fate in the environment has become a concern.For humans, the majority source of exposure to PAHs for non-smokers is the ingestion of food (meat, fish, vegetables, etc.). This study is conducted on fishery products collected along the Moroccan coast, landed at the level of the main ports of the Kingdom. Analyses of mean concentrations of PAHs in local products vary significantly according to the sites (p < 0,05). The results show a satisfactory quality of these products for consumption.The sampling sites are selected so as to diagnose the state of organic contamination in various fishing products. The determination of these pollutants is done by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.