Receptor model-based sources and risks appraisal of potentially toxic elements in an anthropogenically affected bay,...

This study offers the first thorough assessment of potentially hazardous elements (PTEs) in the seawater and sediments of Egypt's eastern Abu Qir Bay area. Mg (587,665 mg/kg) and Ca (485,824 mg/kg) dominated the sediments, whereas halogens (Br, Cl, I), B, Na, and Li shown significant enrichment above crustal levels. The study area was consistently categorized as highly contaminated by pollution indices; the modified degree of contamination (mCd) ranged from (16 < mDc < 32) to (mDc ≥ 32), indicating extremely to ultra-high contamination, and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) reached 3.82 at LNG Idku port and 2.25 at Abu Qir concession, indicating moderately to high contamination. According to ecological risk indices, arsenic and antimony posed a low danger, boron a large risk. The abundance pattern of Cl > Na > Mg > S > Ca > K > B > Br > F > Li > P > I > As > Sb > Al was consistently found in seawater analysis. Several elements, including Br, I, B, Li, and Sb, exhibited mean concentrations several times higher than their oceanic background levels. According to partitioning studies, As, Sb, F, Br, I, B, and Li (log_Kd < 3) predominated in the dissolved phase, enhancing their bioavailability and possible ecological effect, whereas aluminum (log_Kd > 5) was firmly sediment-bound. Overlapping geogenic, marine, agricultural, and industrial impacts were validated by source apportionment using PCA, HCA, and PMF models. In particular, the PMF model found that the highest contribution was a marine-anthropogenic factor (36.7 %), which was followed by an industrial-geochemical factor (28.4 %). These results verify that the primary causes of pollution are natural processes, industrial operations, wastewater discharge, and agricultural runoff. According to the findings of our study, the bay is ecologically vulnerable and heavily contaminated, requiring more stringent monitoring and focused management techniques to safeguard the marine environment.