Abstract

The accumulation profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bivalves of Temsah Lake and their risk on Ismailia residents were studied. The mean values of PAHs in sediment samples ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 36.22 mg/kg and sum of PAHs was 102.60 mg/kg. However, the mean values of PAHs in bivalves were greater than the EU regulatory limits (30.0 µg/kg) of European Communities. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for ∑PAHs were in the following order: 8.83, 23.72, 12.37, and 13.37 in species: Comb circe, Surrclam, Grooved carpet shell, and Golden venus, respectively. Hazard index (HI) was 0.05 and 0.11 at 50 and 90th percentile of ingestion route. Congener benzo[a]pyrene (Bap) exhibited the greatest mean values of predicted cancer risk (CR) 0.098 and 0.065 for adults and children. However, benzo[a]anthracene (Baa) exhibited the mean values, 4.5E-05 and 1.2E-04) for adults and 3.6E-05 and 1.2E-04 for children at 50 and 90th percentile, respectively. Such accumulation resulting in impacted risk for local residents of Ismailia. Therefore, precautionary measures need to be taken in order to prevent further PAHs pollution