Tracking toxic threats: Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in benthic macroinvertebrates of the Gulf of Khambhat, India

The Gulf of Khambhat (GoKh), India is impacted by chemical pollution from industrial and anthropogenic activities. This study assesses the presence and bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in coastal waters, sediments, and benthic macroinvertebrates (Polychaeta, Gastropoda, Malacostraca). Four POPs groups such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), α-hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCD), and bromodiphenyl ethers (BDE) were analysed, with focus on 24 target compounds. PAHs were the most prevalent, with concentrations reaching 8.08 μg/mL in water, 12.15 μg/g in sediment, and 2.07 μg/g in benthic organisms. PCBs, ꭤ- HBCD, and BDE were detected at lower levels. Bioaccumulation factors (BSAF: 0.02–0.42; BSF: 0.01–0.29) indicated significant pollutant uptake, particularly in polychaetes and gastropods. These findings establish baseline data on POPs contamination in GoKh, highlighting the vulnerability of intertidal ecosystems and the need for mitigation strategies.