PAHs in Sediments along the Semi-Closed Areas of Alexandria, Egypt

Mohamed A. Shreadah, Tarek O Said, Mohamed I. Abd El Monem, Eiman M. I. Fathallah, Mohamed E Mahmoud

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National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, P.O 4053, Kayet Bay, Anfushi, Alexandria, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2011.26081                

Abstract

Sediment samples were collected from 49 sampling stations along the semi-closed areas of Alexandria coasts, Egypt. Total concentrations of 15 out of 16 EPA-PAHs in sediments were varied from 4.2 to 886 ng.g^–1 with an average value of 176 ng.g^–1 (dry wt). The average total organic carbon (TOC) percent was varied from 0.04 to 7.65%. Higher concentration of total pyrolytic hydrocarbons (∑COMB) than total fossil hydrocarbons (∑COMB), declared that atmospheric fall-out is the significant source of PAHs to marine sediments of the semi-closed area of Alexandria. The selected marked compounds and special PAHs compound ratios (phenanthrene/anthracene; fluoranthene/pyrene; ∑COMB/ ∑EPA-PAHs) suggest the pyrogenic origins, especially traffic exhausts, are the dominant sources of PAHs in most locations. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed in the harbours, especially marine area due to petroleum products deliveries and fuel combustion emissions from the ships staying alongside the quays.

Keywords

Surface Sediment, PAHs, Alexandria, Egypt, GC-MS

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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