Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in sea snakes (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae) from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

This study reports OCP and PAH concentrations in the tissues of stranded sea snakes from Sharjah, UAE. Samples from 10 Hydrophis lapemoides, 2 Hydrophis ornatus and 1 Hydrophis curtus were analyzed. Muscle, liver and fat tissues were extracted using micro-QuEChERs, followed by d-SPE and analyzed using GC/MS. Higher concentrations of OCPs were detected, while PAHs were more frequently detected. Significant correlations suggest that OCPs and PAHs do bioaccumulate in the tissues of sea snakes. Additionally, OCPs with lower log Kow (octanol-water partition coefficient) values were mainly detected in the muscle samples of H. lapemoides, whereas OCPs with higher log Kow values were more commonly present in the liver and fat samples. The concentrations of OCPs reported in this study were higher than those previously documented in other marine reptiles in the UAE or sea snakes from different geographical regions. [Display omitted] •POP levels were assessed in the tissues of stranded sea snakes from Sharjah, UAE.•∑OCPs occurred at the higher concentrations while ∑PAHs were more ubiquitous.•PAH exposure is primarily from petrogenic sources.•OCPs with lower log Kow values found in muscle, while higher log Kow values in liver and fat.•Significant correlations indicate OCPs and PAHs bioaccumulate in sea snake tissues in the study area.