Abstract
This study investigated seasonal variation, spatial distribution, sources, composition and potential ecological risks of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Red Sea coastal water. Surface seawater samples were collected at fourteen different locations. The sum of 16 PAHs concentrations in Red Sea showed clear variation between seasons, ranged from 1.08–6.10, 0.79–50.86, 1.37–54.47 and 0.21–7.18 μg/L in summer, autumn, winter, and spring respectively. PAHs levels in Red Sea coastal waters were relatively high at certain sites during autumn and winter seasons. They could be classified as highly polluted by PAHs contaminants (>10 μg/L). According to the diagnostic ratios measured, the majority of PAHs in this study originated from pyrogenic sources, while minor amounts originated from petrogenic sources. Four rings PAHs accounted for more than 64% of the total PAHs studied. PAHs pose a high ecological risk along the period of study, according to the ecological risk assessment by Risk quotients (RQNCs and RQMPCs).
Highlights
The Red Sea’s coastal and marine resources contribute to Egypt’s food, energy, oil, and tourism industry
Tourism, shipping activities, oil extraction, harbours, and fishing practices are all examples of environmental threats to the Red Sea ecosystem [3,4,5,6]
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contained in soot, smoke, boat shipping activities and exhausts generated by incomplete combustion of organic compounds such as petroleum [8]
Summary
The Red Sea’s coastal and marine resources contribute to Egypt’s food, energy, oil (exploration and production), and tourism industry. PAHs are environmentally dangerous compounds especially those with 2–7 benzene rings. PAHs toxicity is determined by their metabolism and photochemical transformation. These metabolites are usually more harmful than the parent compounds. Some of PAHs may be accumulate in food chains, especially fish and shellfish marked by much higher concentrations compared to the surrounding environment [16]. Seasonal climate factors such as wind direction, as well as anthropogenic factors with seasonal variability—the hot seasons and the intensity of seawater and shipping activities—can influence the PAHs content and composition in the coastal water environment. The findings of this research will serve as useful baseline data for PAHs contamination in the area of study
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