Bio-treatment of oily sludge: the contribution of amendment material to the content of target contaminants, and the biodegradation dynamics

The objective was to investigate the aerobic biodegradation of oily sludge generated by a flotation-flocculation unit (FFU) of an oil refinery wastewater treatment plant. Four 1m(3) pilot bioreactors with controlled air-flow were filled with FFU sludge mixed with one of the following amendments: sand (M1); matured oil compost (M2); kitchen waste compost (M3) and shredded waste wood (M4). The variables monitored were: pH, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total carbon (C(tot)), total nitrogen (N(tot)) and total phosphorus (P(tot)). The reduction of TPH based on mass balance in M1, M2, M3 and M4 after 373 days of treatment was 62, 51, 74 and 49%; the reduction of PAHs was 97%, +13% (increase), 92 and 88%, respectively. The following mechanisms alone or in combination might explain the results: (i) most organics added with amendments biodegrade faster than most petroleum hydrocarbons, resulting in a relative increase in concentration of these recalcitrant contaminants; (ii) some amendments result in increased amounts of TPH and PAHs to be degraded in the mixture; (iii) sorption-desorption mechanisms involving hydrophobic compounds in the organic matrix reduce bioavailability, biodegradability and eventually extractability; (iv) mixture heterogeneity affecting sampling. Total contaminant mass reduction seems to be a better parameter than concentration to assess degradation efficiency in mixtures with high content of biodegradable amendments.     

Characterization of PM10 fraction of road dust for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Anshan, China

Nineteen road dust samples were collected during 2005 in different parts of the urban area of Anshan, Liaoning Province, China, and 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) species were quantitatively analyzed using GC–MS. The results indicated that the total average concentration of PAHs over the investigated sites ranged from 48.73 to 638.26 μg/g, with a mean value of 144.25 μg/g, higher than the concentrations measured in previous studies. PAHs concentrations were higher with high molecular weight homologues (4–6 rings PAHs), accounting for 83.24–96.98%, showing combustion of petroleum fuels was a potential source. Organic carbon in road dust was considered one of the important factors that influenced the concentrations of PAHs in this study, and it was found that concentrations of total PAHs were correlated with those of organic carbon in road dust. The results of diagnostic ratios analysis showed traffic emission (gasoline or diesel) was one of the most important sources of road dust PAHs. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the major sources of road dust PAHs might be emission from traffic, steel industry, cooking and coal combustion.     

Occurrence and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes in PM2.5 in the roadside environment of a major city in China

Thirty six PM_2.5 samples were collected at a roadside site of the heaviest traffic road in Qingdao, a coastal mega city in North China, from March 2004 to January 2005 to perform a detailed characterization of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) proposed by the USEPA and n-alkanes. For PAHs, the significant increase in winter was observed with average PAH level of 32.3, 11.5, 48.9 and 263 ng m⁻³ for spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. The average concentrations of n-alkane in PM_2.5 at ground level were 232, 121, 309 and 369 ng m⁻³ in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. The pyrogenic PAHs were mainly from the coal burning, and the liquid fossil fuel combustion was their second contribution even at the roadside of a busy street with heavy traffic in Qingdao. Petroleum residues were the dominant source for the n-alkanes. Principal component analysis results indicated that all the measured PAHs but naphthalene and those C₁₇–C₂₆ n-alkanes could be attributed to the fossil fuel burning while long-chain n-alkanes (C₂₇–C₃₅) were mainly derived from higher plant waxes. Good correlations between PAHs and n-alkanes in summer, autumn and winter suggested that they were mainly from local sources. The poor correlation of n-alkanes and PAHs in spring could be mainly due to the shift from the space heating season to non-heating season during the sampling period. This work indicated that the roadside environment in Qingdao was more deteriorated compared with non-roadside environment in other mega cities in China.     

Effects of particulates, heavy metals and acid gas on the removals of NO and PAHs by V2O5–WO3 catalysts in waste incineration system

This study investigated the activities of prepared and commercial V₂O₅–WO₃ catalysts for simultaneous removals of NO and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the influences of particulates, heavy metals, SO₂, and HCl on the performances of catalysts. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory-scale waste incineration system equipped with a catalyst reactor. The DREs of PAHs by prepared and commercial V₂O₅–WO₃ catalysts were 64% and 72%, respectively. Increasing the particulate concentrations in flue gas suppressed the DRE of PAHs, but increasing the carbon content on surface of catalysts promotes the NO conversions. The DRE of PAHs by the catalysts was significantly decreased by the increased concentrations of heavy metal Cd, but was promoted by high concentration of Pb. The influence level of SO₂ was higher than HCl on the performances of V₂O₅–WO₃ catalysts for PAHs removal, but was lower than HCl for NO removal. Prepared and commercial V₂O₅–WO₃ catalysts have similar trends on the effects of particulates, heavy metals, SO₂, and HCl. The results of ESCA analysis reveal that the presences of these pollutants on the surface of catalysts did not change the chemical state of V and W.     

Mineral oil contents in paper and board recycled to paperboard for food packaging

Types of paper and board fed into the recycling process to manufacture paperboard for food packaging were analysed for saturated and aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons. The focus was on the hydrocarbons eluted from gas chromatography before n‐C₂₄, as these are relevant for migration into dry foods via the gas phase at ambient temperature. Newspapers and leaflets printed by similar techniques were identified as the predominant sources of mineral oil, whereas office paper, books and corrugated board were the starting materials of lowest mineral oil content. Paperboard produced from the latter sources would contain about five times less mineral oil than the average observed today, but the migration into food could still exceed the limit derived from the available acceptable daily intake by a factor of up to 20. On average, European newspapers produced by offset printing contained 4.1 g/kg <C₂₄ mineral oil with 21% aromatic hydrocarbons. One out of four Japanese newspapers only contained 430 mg/kg <C₂₄ saturated and less than 15 mg/kg aromatic hydrocarbons. However, the maximum migration from paperboard exclusively produced from such newspaper would still far exceed the limit. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measurements of the surface tension of four halogenated hydrocarbons,CCl3F,CCl2F2, C2Cl3F3, and C2Cl2F4

By means of the capillary rise method, we have measured the surface tension of four different kinds of halogenated hydrocarbons, namely, trichlorofluoromethane (CCl₃F; R 11), dichlorodifluoromethane (CCl₂F₂; R 12), trichlorotrifluoroethane (C₂Cl₃F₃; R 113), and dichlorotetrafluorethane (C₂Cl₂F₄; R 114). Under the coexistence of the sample liquid with its saturated vapor in equilibrium, the measurements have been performed within the maximum uncertainty of 0.12 mN · m^–1 at temperatures from 273 K up to near the critical point of the respective substances. Under the same experimental conditions, two sets of surface tension data have been obtained with two different Pyrex glass capillaries whose inner radii were 0.1536±0.0004 and 0.1724±0.0005 mm, respectively. The two sets of data were in agreement within 0.1 mN · m^–1. The data were represented by van der Waals-type correlations with a standard deviation of 0.10 mN · m^–1 for CCl₃F, 0.04 mN · m^–1 for CCl₂F₂, 0.08 mN · m^–1 for C₂Cl₃F₃, and 0.07 mN · m^–1 for C₂Cl₂F₄, respectively.     

Treatment of petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated soils using hydrogen peroxide oxidation catalyzed by waste basic oxygen furnace slag

The contamination of subsurface soils with petroleum hydrocarbons is a widespread environmental problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of applying waste basic oxygen furnace slag (BOF slag) as the catalyst to enhance the Fenton-like oxidation to remediate fuel oil or diesel contaminated soils. The studied controlling factors that affect the removal efficiency of petroleum hydrocarbons included concentrations of H₂O₂, BOF slag dosages, types of petroleum hydrocarbons (e.g., fuel oil and diesel), and types of iron mineral. Experimental results indicate that oxidation of petroleum hydrocarbon via the Fenton-like process can be enhanced with the addition of BOF slag. Results from the X-ray powder diffraction analysis reveal that the major iron type of BOF slag/sandy loam system was iron mineral (e.g., α-Fe₂O₃ and α-FeOOH). Approximately 76% and 96% of fuel oil and diesel removal were observed (initial total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration = 10,000 mg kg⁻¹), respectively, with the addition of 15% of H₂O₂ and 100 g kg⁻¹ of BOF slag after 40 h of reaction. Because BOF slag contains extractable irons such as amorphous iron and soluble iron, it can act as an iron sink to supply iron continuously for Fenton-like oxidation. Results demonstrate that Fenton-like oxidation catalyzed by BOF slag is a potential method to be able to remediate petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated soils efficiently and effectively.     

A New Principle for Calculating Theoretical Correction Factors in the Gas-Chromatographic Determination of C1–C6 Hydrocarbons in Crude Oil

A gas-chromatographic method is described for determining the C₁–C₆ hydrocarbons in crude oil, which is an alternative to GOST 13379-82, and experimental and theoretical confirmations are given for a new principle for deriving the correction coefficients for quantitative interpretation. Estimates are given of the accuracy characteristics.     

Decontamination of soil washing wastewater using solar driven advanced oxidation processes

Decontamination of soil washing wastewater was performed using two different solar driven advanced oxidation processes (AOPs): the photo-Fenton reaction and the cobalt/peroxymonosulfate/ultraviolet (Co/PMS/UV) process. Complete sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), the surfactant agent used to enhance soil washing process, degradation was achieved when the Co/PMS/UV process was used. In the case of photo-Fenton reaction, almost complete SDS degradation was achieved after the use of almost four times the actual energy amount required by the Co/PMS/UV process. Initial reaction rate in the first 15 min (IR₁₅) was determined for each process in order to compare them. Highest IR₁₅ value was determined for the Co/PMS/UV process (0.011 mmol/min) followed by the photo-Fenton reaction (0.0072 mmol/min) and the dark Co/PMS and Fenton processes (IR₁₅ = 0.002 mmol/min in both cases). Organic matter depletion in the wastewater, as the sum of surfactant and total petroleum hydrocarbons present (measured as chemical oxygen demand, COD), was also determined for both solar driven processes. It was found that, for the case of COD, the highest removal (69%) was achieved when photo-Fenton reaction was used whereas Co/PMS/UV process yielded a slightly lower removal (51%). In both cases, organic matter removal achieved was over 50%, which can be consider proper for the coupling of the tested AOPs with conventional wastewater treatment processes such as biodegradation.     

Effective removal and fixation of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution with Friedel's salt

Friedel's salt (3CaO·Al₂O₃·CaCl₂·10H₂O or Ca₄Al₂(OH)₁₂Cl₂(H₂O)₄) is a calcium aluminate hydrate formed by hydrating cement or concrete in seawater at a low cost. In the current study, we carefully examined the adsorption behaviors of Friedel's salt for Cr(VI) from aqueous solution at different concentrations and various initial pHs. The adsorption kinetic data are well fitted with the pseudo-first-order Lageren equation at the initial Cr(VI) concentration from 0.10 to 8.00 mM. Both the experimental and modeled data indicate that Friedel's salt can adsorb a large amount of Cr(VI) (up to 1.4 mmol Cr(VI)/g) very quickly (t_1/2 = 2–3 min) with a very high efficiency (>99% Cr(VI) removal at [Cr] < 4.00 mM with 4.00 g/L of adsorbent) in the pH range of 4–10. In particular, the competitive adsorption tests show that the Cr(VI) removal efficiency is only slightly affected by the co-existence of Cl⁻ and HCO₃⁻. The Cr(VI)-fixation stability tests show that only less than 0.2% adsorbed Cr(VI) is leaching out in water at pH 4–10 for 24 h because the adsorption/exchange of Cr(VI) with Friedel's salt leads to the formation of a new stable phase (3CaO·Al₂O₃·CaCrO₄·10H₂O). This research thus suggests that Friedel's salt is a potential cost-effective adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal in wastewater treatment.     

Organic/inorganic hybrid nanospheres based on hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) encapsulated into silica for the sorption of toxic metal ions and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water

Organic–inorganic hybrid silica nanospheres were prepared through a biomimetic silicification process in water at ambient conditions by the interaction of low cost poly(ethylene imine) hyperbranched polymer with silicic acid. The characterization of these nanoparticles by FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta-potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments confirmed that the dendritic polymer was incorporated into the silica network. Preliminary experiments show that these hybrid nanoparticles can be employed for the removal of toxic water contaminants. Hybrid nanospheres’ sorption of two completely different categories of pollutants, i.e. metal ions such as Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cr₂O₇²⁻, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as pyrene and phenanthrene, was largely enhanced in comparison with the corresponding polymer-free silica nanospheres. This was attributed to the to the formation of conventional metal-ligand and charge-transfer complexes proving that although integrated into the silica network poly(ethylene imine) retains its chemical properties.     

Real-time control of oxic phase using pH (mV)-time profile in swine wastewater treatment

The feasibility of real-time control of the oxic phase using the pH (mV)-time profile in a sequencing batch reactor for swine wastewater treatment was evaluated, and the characteristics of the novel real-time control strategies were analyzed in two different concentrated wastewaters. The nitrogen break point (NBP) on the moving slope change (MSC) of the pH (mV) was designated as a real-time control point, and a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor (18 m³) was designed to fulfill the objectives of the study. Successful real-time control using the developed control strategy was achieved despite the large variations in the influent strength and the loading rate per cycle. Indeed, complete and consistent removal of NH₄-N (100% removal) was achieved. There was a strong positive correlation (r² = 0.9789) between the loading rate and soluble total organic carbon (TOCs) removal, and a loading rate of 100 g/m³/cycle was found to be optimum for TOCs removal. Experimental data showed that the real-time control strategy using the MSC of the pH (mV)-time profile could be utilized successfully for the removal of nitrogen from swine wastewater. Furthermore, the pH (mV) was a more reliable real-time control parameter than the oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) for the control of the oxic phase. However, the nitrate knee point (NKP) appeared more consistently upon the completion of denitrification on the ORP-time profile than on the pH (mV)-time profile.     

High-temperature structural change of CrOx-LaOx-Al2O3 catalyst for lean-burn exhaust treatment

Solid-state reaction in the system of CrOx-Al₂O₃ and CrOx-LaOx-Al₂O₃ and their sintering at 500–1100°C were examined by X-ray diffraction, electron spin resonance (ESR) and surface area measurement for the development of heat-stable catalytic ceramic in lean-burn exhaust treatment. CrOx-LaOx-Al₂O₃ catalyst, even heated at 1000°C in air, showed the removal conversion of 100% for C₃H₆, 95% for CO and 7% for NO at 500°C for high velocity automotive lean-burn exhaust with A/F = 18 and S.V. = 10⁵h^–1. La-modification of catalyst was effective to high surface area stabilization and the improvement of complete oxidation activity of CO and hydrocarbons.     

Stored energy of a severely deformed interstitial free steel

A Ti-stabilised IF steel subjected to room temperature equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) for 8 passes, route B_C was further cold rolled to 25, 50 and 95% thickness reductions. The evolution of bulk stored energy (350–600 J mol⁻¹) and the associated thermal behaviour was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Local stored energy (5–140 J mol⁻¹) was measured using microhardness, electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray line profile analysis. The higher stored energy values via calorimetry correspond to energy release from all sources of strain in the material volume as well as Ti precipitation during annealing. An apparent activation energy of 500–550 J mol⁻¹ suggests sluggish recrystallisation due to excess Ti in solid solution.     

Measurements and correlation of the thermal conductivity of liquid n-paraffin hydrocarbons and their binary and ternary mixtures

The thermal conductivity of four pure normal paraffin hydrocarbons (C₁₁, C₁₄, C₁₅, C₁₆) and binary and ternary mixtures of three n-paraffin hydrocarbons (C₇, C₁₁, C₁₆) have been measured in the temperature range from about 20 to 90°C at atmospheric pressure. Measurements have been performed with the aid of a fully automated transient hot-wire instrument. The accuracy of the reported data is estimated to be ±1.0 to ±1.5%. A new simple and practical equation, which can calculate the thermal conductivity of pure n-paraffin hydrocarbons (4n 16) with the uncertainty of ±1%, has been correlated in terms of temperature and number of carbon atoms based on the present results including some other reliable data. Also, a mixing rule for the mixtures of n-paraffin hydrocarbons was proposed and was adequately confirmed by the present results within the experimental error.     

Chemical signatures of the Anthropocene in the Clyde estuary, UK: sediment-hosted Pb, (207/206)Pb, total petroleum hydrocarbon, polyaromatic hydrocarbon and polychlorinated biphenyl pollution records

The sediment concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Pb and (207/206)Pb isotope ratios were measured in seven cores from the middle Clyde estuary (Scotland, UK) with an aim of tracking the late Anthropocene. Concentrations of TPHs ranged from 34 to 4386 mg kg(-1), total PAHs from 19 to 16,163 μg kg(-1) and total PCBs between less than 4.3 to 1217 μg kg(-1). Inventories, distributions and isomeric ratios of the organic pollutants were used to reconstruct pollutant histories. Pre-Industrial Revolution and modern non-polluted sediments were characterized by low TPH and PAH values as well as high relative abundance of biogenic-sourced phenanthrene and naphthalene. The increasing industrialization of the Clyde gave rise to elevated PAH concentrations and PAH isomeric ratios characteristic of both grass/wood/coal and petroleum and combustion (specifically petroleum combustion). Overall, PAHs had the longest history of any of the organic contaminants. Increasing TPH concentrations and a concomitant decline in PAHs mirrored the lessening of coal use and increasing reliance on petroleum fuels from about the 1950s. Thereafter, declining hydrocarbon pollution was followed by the onset (1950s), peak (1965-1977) and decline (post-1980s) in total PCB concentrations. Lead concentrations ranged from 6 to 631 mg kg(-1), while (207/206)Pb isotope ratios spanned 0.838-0.876, indicative of various proportions of 'background', British ore/coal and Broken Hill type petrol/industrial lead. A chronology was established using published Pb isotope data for aerosol-derived Pb and applied to the cores.     

Bacterial biosurfactant in enhancing solubility and metabolism of petroleum hydrocarbons

Biosurfactant can make hydrocarbon complexes more mobile with the potential use in oil recovery, pumping of crude oil and in bioremediation of crude oil contaminant. In the investigation, bacterial isolates capable of utilizing poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like phenanthrene, pyrene and fluorene were used. A gradual decrease of the supplemented hydrocarbons in the culture medium was observed with corresponding increase in bacterial biomass and protein. The medium having the combined application of fluorine and phenanthrene caused better biosurfactant production (0.45 g l⁻¹) and (0.38 g l⁻¹) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains MTCC7815 and MTCC7814. The biosurfactant from MTCC7815 (41.0 μg ml⁻¹) and MTCC7812 (26 μg ml⁻¹) exhibited higher solubilization of pyrene; whereas, MTCC8165 caused higher solubilization of phenanthrene; and that of MTCC7812 (24.45 μg ml⁻¹) and MTCC8163 (24.49 μg ml⁻¹) caused more solubilzation of fluorene. Higher solubilization of pyrene and fluorene by the biosurfactant of MTCC7815 and MTCC7812, respectively enhanced their metabolism causing sustained growth. Biosurfactants were found to be lipopeptide and protein–starch–lipid complex in nature and they could reduce the surface tension of pure water (72 mN m⁻¹) to 35 mN m⁻¹. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was also lower than the chemical surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). They differed in quantity and structure. The predominant rhamnolipids present in biosurfactants were Rha–C₈–C₁₀ and Rha–C₁₀–C₈.     

Hydrogen sulfide removal from coal gas by the metal-ferrite sorbents made from the heavy metal wastewater sludge

The metal-ferrite (chromium-ferrite and zinc-ferrite) sorbents made from the heavy metal wastewater sludge have been developed for the hydrogen sulfide removal from coal gas. The high temperature absorption of hydrogen sulfide from coal gas with the metal-ferrite sorbent in a fixed bed reactor was conducted in this study. The metal-ferrite powders were the products of the ferrite process for the heavy metal wastewater treatment. The porosity analysis results show that the number of micropores of the sorbents after sulfidation and regeneration process decreases and the average pore size increases due to the acute endothermic and exothermic reactions during the sulfidation–regeneration process. The FeS, ZnS, and MnS peaks are observed on the sulfided sorbents, and the chromium extraction of the CFR6 can fulfill the emission standard of Taiwan EPA. The suitable sulfidation temperature range for chromium-ferrite sorbent is at 500–600 °C. In addition, effects of various concentrations of H₂ and CO were also conducted in the present work at different temperatures. By increasing the H₂ concentration, the sulfur sorption capacity of the sorbent decreases and an adverse result is observed in the case of increasing CO concentration. This can be explained via water-shift reaction.     

Designing and upgrading model of pre-denitrification systems

This paper reports a three-substrate steady-state integrated model, whose unknowns are expressed in explicit terms once concentrations of nitrogen compounds in the effluent flow are fixed. The model can be applied both to design and to upgrade wastewater treatment plants. The model is also able to evaluate the flexibility of existing wastewater treatment plants, which represents the capacity of the system to operate under different working conditions caused by increases in influent load or reductions in effluent quality standards. In this case the admissible variation of influent load or effluent concentration can be measured using suitable dimensionless flexibility indexes.List of symbols Q influent flow [L³ T^–1] - R₁ sludge recycle flow ratio - R₂ aerated mixed liquor recycle flow ratio - V_D denitrification reactor volume [L³] - V_N nitrification reactor volume [L³] - S biodegradable organic substrate concentration [M L^–3] - N-NH₄ ammonia nitrogen concentration [M L^–3] - N-NO₃ nitrate nitrogen concentration [M L^–3] - N_tot total nitrogen concentration [M L^–3] - O₂ oxygen concentration in the nitrification reactor [M L^–3] - X_H heterotrophic biomass concentration [M L^–3] - X_AUT autotrophic biomass concentration [M L^–3] - maximum removal rate of biodegradable organic substrate for an assigned value of temperature [T^–1] - maximum removal rate of nitrate for an assigned value of temperature [T^–1] - maximum removal rate of ammonia nitrogen for assigned values of pH and temperature [T^–1] - _S removal rate of biodegradable organic substrate [T^–1] - _D removal rate of nitrate [T^–1] - _N removal rate of ammonia nitrogen [T^–1] - K_S saturation coefficient for biodegradable organic substrate [M L^–3] - K_D saturation coefficient for nitrate [M L^–3] - K_SD saturation coefficient for organic substrate in the denitrification kinetic [M L^–3] - K_N saturation coefficient for ammonia nitrogen [M L^–3] - saturation coefficient for oxygen [M L^–3] - Y_H yield coefficient for heterotrophic microorganisms in the biodegradable organic substrate removal process - Y_D yield coefficient for heterotrophic microorganisms in the nitrate nitrogen removal process - Y_AUT yield coefficient for autotrophic microorganisms in the ammonia nitrogen removal process - (X_H)_r heterotrophic biomass concentration in the recycle sludge [M L^–3] - (X_AUT)_r autotrophic biomass concentration in the recycle sludge [M L^–3] - biodegradable organic mass consumption for unitary nitrate nitrogen mass reduction in the denitrification reactor - nitrogen consumption in the biodegradable organic oxidation process by mean of heterotrophic biomass     

Risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a Mediterranean semi-enclosed basin affected by human activities (Abu Qir Bay, Egypt)

The contamination of sediments and mussels sampled from Abu Qir Bay by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated. Concentrations of PAHs recorded in the bay sediments ranged from <MDL to 2660 μg/kg dw. In general, concentrations of PAHs in mussels were higher than their corresponding sediment concentrations reflecting their great bioavailability (242–3880 μg/kg dw). The highest concentration was observed in the western part of the bay, a location affected by intensive shipping activities. The distribution pattern of PAHs was similar for mussels and sediments, particularly for sediments characterized by high contamination level, and they were dominated by the high molecular weight PAHs (4–6-rings). Applying different PAHs ratios, it was found that PAHs originated predominantly from the pyrogenic source either from the combustion of grass, wood and coal (majority of the samples) or from petroleum combustion (harbour area). The output of a Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment (SLERA) on the bay sediments revealed that adverse ecological effects to benthic organisms are expected to occur in only one sample, and thus PAHs are not considered as contaminants of concern in Abu Qir Bay. Also adverse health effects are not expected to occur from the consumption of the investigated mussels with respect to PAHs in Abu Qir Bay.