Alaa Mostafa - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Alaa Mostafa

J Soil Contam, 2004

Harbour of Alexandria. The most comprehensive record is from a survey conducted more than a decad... more Harbour of Alexandria. The most comprehensive record is from a survey conducted more than a decade ago. Industrial and human activities in and around this area have increased dramatically in the last 20 years. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in surfacial bottom sediments of the harbor, to assess their potential biological effects and to identify their possible sources. Sediment samples from 21 stations throughout the harbor were analyzed for grain size, total organic carbon content (TOC), and metals (Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, V, and Zn)

for abstract cf. (above): Trace Elements in Sediments and Mussels – Spatial Distribution, Chemica... more for abstract cf. (above): Trace Elements in Sediments and Mussels – Spatial Distribution, Chemical Partitioning, and Risk Assessment. CLEAN – Soil, Air, Water 2010, 38 (12),1184-1193

Soil and Sediment Contamination, 2004

Microchemical Journal, 2011

Zn in road dust particles at seven sites in the Delta region have been investigated using atomic ... more Zn in road dust particles at seven sites in the Delta region have been investigated using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results showed that samples were highly contaminated with Cd, Pb, Sn and Zn and moderately contaminated with As, Se, Ba and Cu when compared to the average crustal background concentrations of metals. The output of the principle component analysis revealed that Al, Fe, Be and Mn were predominantly driven from natural sources and that all the other metals were anthropogenically driven from industrial activities (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Se, and Sn) and traffic emissions (Pb, Ni and V). Results of the applied risk assessment indicated that the higher risk of occurrence of adverse non-carcinogenic health effects is associated with the exposure of children to Al, Fe, As, Cr, Pb and Zn via the ingestion pathway and that carcinogenic health effects are not expected to occur from the exposure to metals in the road dust of the Delta region. However, given the large uncertainties associated with the estimates of toxicity values and exposure factors, and the absence of site-specific biometric factors, these results should be regarded as a screening data. Further research should be undertaken before any definite conclusions regarding potential health effects are drawn.

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 1999

In an attempt to investigate the suitability of a multibiological marker approach for de®ning the... more In an attempt to investigate the suitability of a multibiological marker approach for de®ning the origin of petroleum pollution in marine systems, the aliphatic hydrocarbon compositions of tar ball samples collected from the beaches of a small island impacted by heavy tar loads were determined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The tar ball samples, as collected, were at low stages of biodegradation and had diverse physical appearance. The majority of the samples (as many as 7 of the 10) appeared to be heavy fuel oils ± possibly Bunker C. The GC traces for the other three tar balls, however, indicated that they were crude oils probably from tanker ballast washings or other nonpoint sources like the oil entering from the adjacent North Mediterranean. The biomarkers of the sterane and hopane series in these samples, however, had remained unaected by weathering, and their distributions revealed signi®cant dierences among the samples suggesting multiple sources of the tar balls. The tar ball samples could be genetically subdivided into four groups on the basis of their biomarker ®ngerprints. A marine carbonate or evaporite, hypersaline, anoxic depositional environment of the petroleum source rock for Type I residues could be inferred from the even-carbon-number predominance of n-alkanes, the high relative abundance of gammacerane and the predominance of C 35 relative to C 34 17a(H)-homohopanes. Higher plant contribution and a deltaic environment of source rock deposition could be concluded for Type II residues from the high concentrations of oleanane and diasteranes. On the other hand, Type III residues possessed geochemical characteristics consistent with a normal marine carbonate or evaporite source depositional environment under nor-mal saline, reducing conditions. Finally, type IV residues had biomarker signatures intermediate between Types II and III. Ó

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 1997

... 18, American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD. American Petroleum Institute (1984) Oil spill s... more ... 18, American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD. American Petroleum Institute (1984) Oil spill studies: measurement of environmental effects and recovery. In Guidelines Based on Workshops Sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute, ed. JR Gould, 128 pp. ...

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2007

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2009

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2012

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in surface ... more Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in surface and core sediment samples collected from Manzala Lake, the largest of the Egyptian coastal lakes. Total concentrations of OCPs and ∑7 PCBs (ICES) in sediments ranged from 0.63 to 31.31 ng/g and 0.26 to 31.27 ng/g, respectively. Geographical distribution indicates that levels of contaminants were significantly higher in areas which are mainly influenced by municipal discharge, indicating significant sources of these compounds in urbanised areas. The composition of DDT and its metabolites suggest old input of DDT. The levels of contaminants in Manzala Lake were similar or lower than those observed in comparable areas worldwide. The profiles of ∑OCPs and ∑PCBs in a core from a site heavily impacted by sewage discharge have highest concentrations in the surface core section indicating recent inputs. Assessment of ecotoxicological risk indicated that sediments in two sites were likely to pose potential biological adverse impact.

Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2003

1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, 21511 Moharram... more 1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, 21511 Moharram Bek, Alexandria, Egypt 2 Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&amp;amp;amp;M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA ... Introduction Polycyclic aromatic ...

Journal of Marine Systems, 2009

To assess the status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in sediments of Hadhr... more To assess the status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in sediments of Hadhramout coastal area, Gulf of Aden, Yemen, 17 surface sediment samples were collected in March-April 2005 and analyzed for PAHs with 2-6 benzene rings by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The concentrations of PAHs in surface sediments were in the range of 2.2-604 ng g − 1 (average value: 82.4 ng g − 1 ). PAHs contamination is highest in proximity to harbour activities, near Al-Dhabah petroleum terminal and urban areas. Comparison of the concentration range with a worldwide survey of sedimentary PAH concentrations ranked PAH contamination in Hadhramout coastal sediments as low to moderate. Assessment of PAH sources in Hadhramout coastal sediments suggested that they originated largely from petrogenic sources. PAHs of pyrolytic origin were found in sediments from urbanized areas. Adverse effects on benthic communities are not expected at the levels of PAHs contamination observed from harbour and industrial areas.

Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009

The contamination of sediments and mussels sampled from Abu Qir Bay by polycyclic aromatic hydroc... more 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 g/kg dw. In general, concentrations of PAHs in mussels were higher than their corresponding sediment concentrations reflecting their great bioavailability (242-3880 g/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.

International Journal of Coal Geology, 2001

... The Gebel Maghara area is the first salient massif about 50 km south of the Sinai Mediterrane... more ... The Gebel Maghara area is the first salient massif about 50 km south of the Sinai Mediterranean Coast, situated between longitude 33°10′ and 33°35′E and latitude 30°35′ and 30°50′N. It is a rectangular massif about 54 km long and 30 km wide with longer axis trending ...

Marine pollution bulletin, 2012

Organochlorine compounds (OCs) in surface and core sediments collected from Lake Maryut, Egypt, w... more Organochlorine compounds (OCs) in surface and core sediments collected from Lake Maryut, Egypt, were examined to elucidate their distribution, ecological risk and historical trend. To our knowledge, this is the first study on residue levels of OCs in sediments from Lake Maryut. Concentrations of PCBs and DDTs were higher than other OCs, ranging from 3.06 to 388 and from 0.07 to 106 ng/g dry wt., respectively. The highest concentrations of OCs were found at stations near the discharge point of sewage and close to industrial areas. The distribution of DDT and its metabolites suggest no recent inputs into the lake environment. Contamination levels of sedimentary PCBs and DDTs, can be categorized moderate to high compared to other urbanized regions worldwide. Temporal trends in OCs levels were influenced by input pathways at two sites. Evaluation of ecotoxicological risks suggests that adverse biological effects are expected mainly in the main basin area.

Geoarchaeology, 2005

Molecular geochemical properties of crude oils and surface petroleum seeps from the southern part... more Molecular geochemical properties of crude oils and surface petroleum seeps from the southern part of the Gulf of Suez were evaluated. The characterizations of individual aliphatic, aromatic, and biomarker compounds were based on gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. The results provided strong evidence for a close genetic association of these samples. The geochemical characteristics suggest an origin from Tertiary source rocks deposited in a normal marine environment that received continental runoff. The molecular signatures of the investigated samples were very similar to those of the Lower Miocene Rudeis Formation source rock in the southern Gulf of Suez. Further, biomarker fingerprints of the investigated oil seeps were compared with those of the Dead Sea asphalt, as well as the bitumen from some Egyptian mummies reported in the literature. The results demonstrate that oil seeps from the southern end of Gebel El Zeit were used by ancient Egyptians for embalming.

Fuel, 2009

... Permissions & Reprints. Source characterization and the environmental impact of urban... more ... Permissions & Reprints. Source characterization and the environmental impact of urban street dusts from Egypt based on hydrocarbon distributions. ... Characterization of street dusts by hopane and sterane distributions 3.3. Characteristics of PAHs in the urban street dusts 3.4. ...

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2012

In Egypt, the picture of threats to humans and the environment from the exposure to organic pollu... more In Egypt, the picture of threats to humans and the environment from the exposure to organic pollutants is still incomplete. Thus the objectives of this study were to assess the occurrence and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, and chlorpyrifos in sediments and mussels of Abu Qir Bay and their risks for environment and human health. Twenty-three different compounds organochlorines were determined in 20 surfacial sediment and 10 mussel samples by gas chromatography-electron capture detector. A Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment (SLERA) and a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) were performed with the data. ΣDDT (DDT, DDE, DDD) (average concentration 27 µg/kg dw) dominated the detected organic pollutants in the sediments, followed by CHLs (chlordane, heptachlor, heptachloro epoxide), hexachlorocyclohexane, chlorpyrifos, endosulfane, dieldrine, Σ6 PCBs, aldrine, hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, methoxychlor, and mirex. In general, concentrations of Σ6 PCBs in mussels were higher than their corresponding sediment concentrations reflecting their relatively high bioavailability and bioaccumulative potential. However, concentrations of the organochlorine pesticides in mussels were lower than their corresponding sediment samples. Nevertheless, the SLERA on the bay sediments revealed that adverse ecological effects to benthic species are expected to occur whereas the HHRA showed that adverse health effects are not expected to occur from the consumption of the mussels. With the help of a SLERA, it was possible to indicate which class of chlorinated organic compounds is of highest concern to assess and to improve the environmental quality of the bay. Monitoring of organochlorines and chlorpyrifos would be needed to control the future trend of pollution.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2013

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been determined in blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovin... more Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been determined in blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from several Iberian Mediterranean coastal areas through the implementation of a monitoring programme from Spain in the framework of the Mediterranean Pollution Programme (MED POL). The selected areas correspond to sites with differing degrees of exposure to the main pollution sources (hot spots, coastal and reference areas). The sampling campaigns were performed from 2004 to 2009, with samples being taken from May to June, the non-spawning period for mussels in this area. Thirteen PAHs were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with specific fluorescence detection. In general, total PAHs concentration was lower than 50 μg kg(-1) d.w., except in areas close to the principal ports and cities (Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Algeciras) where it varies from 75 to 390 μg kg(-1) d.w. Background concentrations have been proposed for PAHs in mussels (23.8 μg kg(-1) d.w.) from Western Mediterranean area. Temporal trends were not statistically significant for PAHs concentrations from 2004 to 2009. Longer monitoring periods would be required to detect a continuous tendency, especially for PAHs because although the efficiency of combustion engines has reduced PAHs emissions, their increasing use could alter this potential reduction. The predominant PAHs were three and four ring congeners in all cases, with the predominance of phenanthrene in mussels sited far from the main PAHs sources. The phenanthrene/anthracene (lower than 10) and fluoranthene/pyrene (higher than 1) ratios indicate that PAHs detected in Spanish Mediterranean coastal mussels are mainly of pyrolytic origin.