One of the world's crucial areas for crude oil exploration and extraction is the southern Gulf of Mexico, where Terminos Lagoon (TL) is located. Sediments from the TL region were used to assess the spatial patterns, origins, and ecotoxicological risks associated with 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; 3.1–248.9 ng⸳g−1 dry weight basis, dw) and trace metals (Ni = 11.0–104.0 mg⸳kg−1; V = 2.0–35.0 mg⸳kg−1 dw) linked to anthropogenic activities. Although origin indices based on PAHs and metals concentrations indicate no crude oil pollution in the region, sources of pyrogenic PAHs were identified. A chemometric approach demonstrated associations between organic matter and PAHs, and that metal accumulation depends mostly by the input of lithogenic materials. Ecotoxicological risk estimations showed a higher risk of possible adverse effects in sites near swamps and mangrove zones, highlighting the need of future monitoring. This study provides a reference for policymakers to conserve Mexico's largest coastal lagoon and other oil-impacted coastal areas worldwide.

中文翻译：

---

墨西哥湾南部石油开采区附近大型沿海泻湖沉积物中多环芳烃、镍和钒的空间分布


世界上原油勘探和开采的关键地区之一是墨西哥湾南部，特米诺斯泻湖 (TL) 就位于此处。 TL 地区的沉积物用于评估与 16 种优先多环芳烃（PAH；3.1–248.9 ng⸳g−1 干重基础，dw）和微量金属（Ni = 11.0– 104.0 mg⸳kg−1；V = 2.0–35.0 mg⸳kg−1 dw) 与人类活动有关。尽管基于多环芳烃和金属浓度的来源指数表明该地区没有原油污染，但已确定了热解多环芳烃的来源。化学计量学方法证明了有机物和多环芳烃之间的关联，并且金属积累主要取决于成岩材料的输入。生态毒理学风险评估显示，沼泽和红树林地区附近的地点可能出现不利影响的风险较高，这凸显了未来监测的必要性。这项研究为政策制定者保护墨西哥最大的沿海泻湖和全球其他受石油影响的沿海地区提供了参考。