Organic contaminants levels, distribution and risk assessment in Jeddah marine coastal zone sediments

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 199; p. 115926
• Main Authors: Hatzianestis, I., Parinos, C., Chourdaki, S., Plakidi, E., Abualnaja, Y., Hoteit, I., Churchill, J., Papageorgiou, D., Papadopoulos, V.P., Alshehri, Y., Pavlidou, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2024
• Subjects: Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Hydrocarbons; LΑΒs; PAH; PCBs; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Red Sea; Risk Assessment; Sediment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; PCBs; Red Sea; Sediment; Risk assessment; PAH; LΑΒs
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115926

Herein, various organic contaminants were determined in surface sediments collected from the Jeddah coastal zone, Saudi Arabia, to assess their levels, origin and probable toxic effects on marine organisms. High hydrocarbons concentrations, indicative of an enhanced pollutant burden, were recorded in the Jeddah Lagoon (mean value 4100 mg/kg for total aliphatic hydrocarbons (∑AHC) and 5800 μg/kg for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑PAH)), whereas mean values in Mena Jeddah were 258 mg/kg for ∑AHC and 615 μg/kg for ∑PAH. By using molecular diagnostic ratios/indices and applying Positive Matrix Factorization, petroleum related pollution seems to predominate in Jeddah lagoons, whereas carcinogenic contaminants of pyrolytic origin were dominant in Mena Jedda. Additionally, municipal wastewaters were identified as a major source of pollution in Jeddah lagoons. Comparison of the concentrations of individual PAHs and polychlorinated biphenyls with sediment quality guidelines indicates that, despite their high total values, adverse biological effects are unlikely to occur. •Sediments in Jeddah coastal zone are contaminated by hydrocarbons.•Mixed hydrocarbon origin from petroleum and combustion was found.•A chronic pollution from sewage was observed.•Adverse biological effects are unlikely to occur.