Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments and some fish species from the Gulf of Suez, Egypt.

Abstract

The present study evaluated the origin and distribution of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) included by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) within the priority pollutants were considered in the surface sediment as well as eleven fish species of Suez Gulf, Egypt. Sediment samples were collected at 0.5 and 10 meter depth from ten stations in addition to eleven fish species (Liza subviridis, Parupeneus forsskali, Upeneus japonicus, Lethrinus nebulosus, Stephanolepis diaspros, Epinephelus areolatu, Sphyraena chrysotaenia, Pomadasys stridens, Trachurus indicus, Saurida undosquamis, Engyprospon sp.). The concentrations of PAHs were measured by gas chromatography (GC) equipped with FID detector.The total concentration ∑16 PAHs ranged from1667.02 to 2671.27ng/g with the highest levels recorded at stations IV, VII and X (Ras Gharib, AionMousa and Abu Zanima). While the total concentration ∑16 PAHs in collected fish species ranged from 621 to 4207 ng/g wet weight with the highest ∑16 PAHs found in species Saurida undosquamis, while the lowest found in the species Stephanolepis diaspros. The high molecular weight PAHs (HPAHs) were predominant if compared with the low molecular weight PAHs (LPAHs). With LPAHs/HPAHs values less than one for all studied species indicating anthropogenic origin of PAHs in fish. Furthermore, the study of the PAHs diagnostic ratios suggests the predominance of pyrolytic origin for the studied PAHs.