The Port of Veracruz, the main port in the Gulf of Mexico, has experienced a significant increase in its import and export operations, such as petroleum coke (Petcoke), a solid waste, mainly used in the steel industry. During the period of 2010–2023, approximately 7,401,594 tons of coke were stored outdoors, generating PM₁₀ particulate emissions due to wind erosion. These particles were dispersed to urban areas, reaching an estimated total emission of 5077 tons. The study used geospatial analysis and environmental modeling tools (ALOHA^®) to evaluate the dispersion and concentration of PM₁₀ in the atmosphere, comparing them with the limits established by the Mexican Official Standard NOM-025-SSA1-2021. The results indicate that in years with high port activity, such as 2014, PM₁₀ concentrations exceeded the normative values, representing a potential risk to public health and urban infrastructure. This study provides critical evidence on the environmental impacts of coke handling in ports and suggests mitigation strategies, including processes for the confinement of materials and the implementation of advanced emissions monitoring systems.

The Port of Veracruz, Mexico was artificially built at the beginning of the 21st century, dredging the sea floor and removing reefs to allow the entry of large ships, which led to a growth in the traffic of goods and people through it, making it the largest commercial port in all of Mexico. In 1992 the Government of Mexico decreed the area of coastal reefs near the Port of Veracruz as a protected natural area with the name of the Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (PSNSAV). In 2013, with the demand of international trade, the decision was made to expand the port, generating job growth in the area and an increase in the flow of containers and automobiles, also have a greater capacity to transport cereals, minerals and fuels. In contrast to the disagreements of the society due to the loss of protected space, the Parks polygon had to be modified. This work try to demonstrated that the construction of the port expansion began previous the presentation to the environmental authorities of the Environmental Impact Statement and the change in the protected limits with the disappearance of the Punta Gorda reefs and the dredging of Vergara Bay for the arrival of deep draft vessels. Through a systematic mapping of the scientific literature combined with satellite mapping and visual interpretation of images, and documentary analysis, we determined the damage to the reef system, which has protected species according to Mexican national regulations. El Puerto de Veracruz, México fue construido de manera artificial a principios del siglo XXI, dragando el suelo marino y removiendo arrecifes para permitir la entrada de buques de gran tamaño, lo que conllevó a un crecimiento en el tráfico de mercancías y personas a través de él y convirtiéndolo en el mayor puerto comercial de todo México. En 1992 el Gobierno de México decretó en la zona de arrecifes litorales cercanos al Puerto de Veracruz como un área natural protegida con el nombre de Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (PSNSAV). En 2013, con la demanda del comercio internacional, se tomó la decisión de ampliar el puerto, generando un incremento de empleo en la zona y un aumento del flujo de contenedores y automóviles, además de tener una mayor capacidad para transportar cereales, minerales y combustibles. Frente a las disconformidades de la sociedad por la pérdida de espacio protegido, el polígono de Parques tuvo que ser modificado. Con este trabajo se demuestra que la construcción de la ampliación del puerto se inició previa autorización de las autoridades ambientales de la Manifestación de Impacto Ambiental y el cambio en los límites protegidos, lo dicho tuvo inicio con la desaparición de los arrecifes de Punta Gorda y el dragado de la Bahía de Vergara para el arribo de buques de gran calado. A través de un mapeo sistemático de la literatura científica combinado con mapeo satelital e interpretación visual de imágenes, así como el análisis documental, se determinó el daño al sistema de arrecife, el cual cuenta con especies protegidas de acuerdo a la normatividad nacional mexicana.