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Composition, distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the western harbour of alexandria, egypt

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Abstract

Aim and Background

Little data are available on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Mediterranean Sea Coast of Egypt in general and the Alexandria coastal zone in particular. It was therefore deemed necessary to set up a monitoring programme to determine the current concentrations of PAHs in bottom sediments, and to identify any area where high concentrations of these potential hazardous contaminants were present in the Western Harbour of Alexandria.

Methods

The composition, distribution and the source of PAHs in surficial sediments of the harbour were investigated. To document the spatial PAH input, surficial sediment samples from 23 locations throughout the harbour were analysed. as]Results and Discussion

The total PAH load determined in the surficial sediment samples ranged from 8 to 131150 ng g1 dry wt, generally with most of the samples having total concentrations of PAHs greater than 5000 ng g1 dry weight. The highest concentration of total PAHs was recorded in sediments of the inner harbour. Ratio values of specific compounds such as phenanthrene to anthracene, fluoranthrene to pyrene, methyl-phen-anthrene to phenanthrene, methyl-dibenzothiophenes to dibenzothiophenes, alkylated to non-alkylated and high molecular weight to low molecular weight PAH, were calculated to evaluate the possible source of PAH contamination in the harbour sediments.

Conclusions

Two main sources of PAH in the study area have been found: pyrolytic and petrogenic. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed for most samples. The dominant sources of PAH appear to be the combustion processes through run-off, industrial and sewage discharges, and atmospheric input. The concentrations of PAHs were generally above levels expected to cause adverse biological effects.

Recommendations and outlook

Information from this study and any other relevant studies should be useful in designing future strategies for environmental protection and management of the harbour.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, 21511, Moharram Bek, Alexandria, Egypt

    Alaa R. Mostafa & Assem O. Barakat

  2. Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77845, TX, USA

    Yaorong Qian & Terry L. Wade

Authors
  1. Alaa R. Mostafa
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  2. Assem O. Barakat
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  3. Yaorong Qian
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  4. Terry L. Wade
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Correspondence to Alaa R. Mostafa.

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Mostafa, A.R., Barakat, A.O., Qian, Y. et al. Composition, distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the western harbour of alexandria, egypt. J Soils & Sediments 3, 173–179 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1065/jss2003.02.069

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