Measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in muscle tissue of several fish species and liver anomalies in red snapper collected aboard multiple cruises in the southern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-06-05 to 2016-08-19 (NCEI Accession 0239471)

This data package contains measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in muscle tissue of several fish species including Red Snapper and Yellowedge Grouper collected aboard R/V Justo Sierra and R/V Weatherbird II cruises in the southern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-06-05 to 2016-08-19. Fish species were caught in Campeche Bay and Yucatan Shelf in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico using demersal longline sampling gear. The total concentration of PAHs in muscle tissue was analyzed with an Agilent gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) 6890N/5973MS after PAH was extracted from tissue with a 1:1. hexane:methylene chloride solvent. Livers of red snappers were examined for hepatic parenchymal changes. The dataset includes the cruise information, date and location of sample collection sites, the common and the scientific name of the fish species examined, total PAH concentration, and the classification and the exact description of the anomaly.