Performance and ecological risk of microchemical organic pollutants in sediments from the continental shelf adjacent to Abu Qir Bay, Egypt

The distribution and ecological risks of 11 phenolic compounds and 16 PAHs were studied in the bottom sediments of Abu Qir Bay in the Mediterranean of Egypt. The total concentration of 11 phenolic compounds (∑PC11) in sediment ranged from 540.48 to 11986.44 ng/g with an average of 6469.46 n/g. For individual phenolic compound, the mean concentration of 2,4-Dichlorophenol was the highest in sediment (7883.83 n/g). The total concentration of 5 chlorophenols (∑CP5) was significantly higher than that of 4 nitrophenols (∑NP4) in all sites. This study had the greatest average concentration of PAHs, LMW ranged between 27.5 and 54.1 % with an average of 43.8% of the ΣPAHs concentration. High molecular weight (HMW) compounds made up the bulk of PAHs in the study area. The LMW/HMW ratio ranged between 0.39 and 1.18, indicating both pyrolytic and petrogenic sources. The aggregate amount of possibly carcinogenic PAHs (∑PAH7) ranged between 296.85 to 481.30 ng/g suggests that these sediments have a negative impact on human health. Controlling wastewater discharge into the Bay is therefore essential to lowering the possible hazards that phenols in the sediments of Abu Qir Bay pose to the marine environment and, in turn, to humans.