Chronic oil contamination in sediments of the Coatzacoalcos River coastal area.
PAH contamination before 1980s was attributed to oil industry unregulated discharges.
High PAH concentrations from the Ixtoc oil spill are well preserved in the sediments.
PAH contamination since 1990s has a predominant pyrogenic (combustion) origin.
PAH sediment concentrations are not dangerous to the biota.