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Sediment samples were collected from 49 sampling stations along the semi-closed areas of Alexandria coasts, Egypt. Total concentrations of 15 out of 16 EPA-PAHs in sediments were varied from 4.2 to 886 ng.g^–1 with an average value of 176 ng.g^–1 (dry wt). The average total organic carbon (TOC) percent was varied from 0.04 to 7.65%. Higher concentration of total pyrolytic hydrocarbons (∑COMB) than total fossil hydrocarbons (∑COMB), declared that atmospheric fall-out is the significant source of PAHs to marine sediments of the semi-closed area of Alexandria. The selected marked compounds and special PAHs compound ratios (phenanthrene/anthracene; fluoranthene/pyrene; ∑COMB/ ∑EPA-PAHs) suggest the pyrogenic origins, especially traffic exhausts, are the dominant sources of PAHs in most locations. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed in the harbours, especially marine area due to petroleum products deliveries and fuel combustion emissions from the ships staying alongside the quays

The distributions of 15 out of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in surface and bottom water of Alexandria coasts (Egyptian Mediterranean Sea). Total average PAH concentrations were ranged from 9.89 to 677.25 ng/l, and from 2.21 to 345.29 ng/l in surface and bottom water, respectively. PAH concentrations were at relatively low levels compared to those reported for other estuaries and marine systems around the world. The ΣCOMB and ΣTF-PAHs suggest the origin of hydrocarbons. The higher concentrations of total pyrolytic hydrocarbons (ΣCOMB) than that of total fossil hydrocarbons (ΣTFPAH) declared that atmospheric fallout from traffic exhausts was the significant source of PAHs to marine environment of the semi-closed areas of Alexandria. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed in the harbours, especially marine area due to petroleum products deliveries and fuel combustion emissions from the ships awaiting along side the quays.

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