Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fingerprints in the Pichavaram mangrove-estuarine sediments, southeastern India

► One of the few studies of Indian mangroves focusing on PAHs. ► Higher concentration of PAHs in mangrove sediments than estuarine sediments. ► PAH distribution varied spatially and increased up-core. ► PAHs from petrogenic sources were dominant. ► Vertical distribution showed that HMW PAH input has increased due to anthropogenic activity.