Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Egyptian red sea sediments: Seasonal distribution, source Identification, and toxicological risk assessment

Abstract

This study investigated the concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments from the shoreline of the Red Sea. 16 PAH concentrations ranged from 1.43 to 4990.69 µg/g dry weight to 1.64 to 6397.69 µg/g dry weight during spring and autumn, respectively. Most sites with the highest PAH concentrations were (4–6 rings) compounds. The sources of PAHs were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and diagnostic ratios between combinations of PAHs. The results indicated that the pyrogenic source was the primary source of PAHs. The results showed that surface sediment from all sample sites presents low to sporadic toxicity concerns to marine organisms. Total carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of eight priority PAHs ranged from 0.03 to 863.96 and 0.09 to 1197.85 µg/g dry weight, respectively (TEQBaP and MEQBaP). BaP accounted for most of the influence among the eight carcinogenic PAHs and could be employed as a particular PAH toxicity indicator. Using the toxic equivalent quotient (TEQcarc) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) to estimate human health risk, it has been determined that sediment contaminated with PAHs in some study area stations may possess the capacity to cause cancer, particularly in children. The ecological risk posed by PAHs was evaluated using a risk quotient (RQ). The RQPAHs estimated for the samples revealed that the study region was at a high-risk level. Anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs that were more pronounced in locations connected to maritime activity are described in this study. Further monitoring studies encompassing different environmental matrices about PAHs pollution and their toxicological relevance should be conducted.

Keywords

• Risk assessment
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Cancer risk
• Ecological risk
• Environmental monitoring
• Red Sea coast