Muscle Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Red Snapper and Yellowedge Grouper data collected aboard R/V Weatherbird II cruises WB-0915 and WB-0816 in the southern Gulf of Mexico from 2015-09-16 to 2016-08-19

This dataset contains muscle concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Red Snapper and Yellowedge Grouper data collected aboard R/V Weatherbird II cruises WB-0915 and WB-0816 in the southern Gulf of Mexico from 2015-09-16 to 2016-08-19. Red snapper and Yellowedge grouper were caught in Campeche Bay using demersal longline sampling gear. Longline sets were generally deployed at six sites along pre-defined transects from relatively shallow to deep continental shelf areas. The nominal depths sampled along each transect were 37, 73, 110, 146, 183 and 274 m. At each station, eight km of 544 kg test monofilament main line was deployed, with a mean of 446 baited hooks per set. PAHs content in fishes muscle was extracted with a mixed solvent solution (hexane: dichloromethane, 1:1) using an ASE 300 accelerated solvent extractor. The sample was concentrated and purified in a chromatographic column packed with sulfite, silica, alumina and granulated copper. Purified extracts were analyzed by GC-MS (Agilent Technologies 6890N/5973MS). Laboratory quality control included the analysis of target control sample and reference material NIST 1941b (Organics in marine sediments) for each batch of samples. Standard US-108N-1 was used to check stability and response of the CG-MS, and NIST 1941b was used to determine recovery (ranging from 85% to 110%). Accuracy was ̴10% and the detection limit ranged from 0.5 -1.0 μg kg-1. This research was conducted as part of the C-IMAGE Gulf-wide surveys in order to characterize the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on benthic species. Cruise documentation was provided for cruises WB-0915 and WB-0816, led by Dr. Steve Murawski. The related dataset is available under GRIIDC Unique Dataset Identifier (UDI) R6.x805.000:0079 (DOI: 10.7266/n7-5zt3-8c72).