Evaluation of Trace Metal Concentrations in Sediment Samples from Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Egypt

Evaluation of Trace Metal Concentrations in Sediment Samples
from Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Egypt
Azza Khaled, Ahmed El Nemr*, Amany El Sikaily and Wagdy M. El-Sarraf
Environmental Division, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries
Kayet Bey, El Anfoushy, Alexandria, Egypt
E-mail: [email protected]
Received 30th September 2009, Accepted 30th October 2009
Abstract
The Metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in surface sediment in the samples collected
from Eastern Mediterranean coast of Egypt. The concentration of the measured metals in sand fraction decreases in
the order Fe > Mn > Cr > Ni > Zn ≥ Pb > Co > Cu > Cd for total fractions and in the order Fe > Mn > Pb > Ni > Zn
> Co > Cu > Cr> Cd for labile fractions while, in mud fraction, the total metals decrease in sequence of Fe > Mn >
Cr > Cu > Ni > Zn > Pb > Co > Cd and the labile fraction decrease in sequence of Fe > Mn > Cr ≥ Cu > Pb > Zn >
Ni > Co > Cd for labile fractions. The results showed that the maximum concentrations of 0.88, 28.52, 23.56, 21.42,
727.25, 22.07, 17.9, 26.26 µg/g and 19.50 mg/g for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe respectively were
recorded in sand fraction, while the maximum concentrations in mud fractions were 1.32, 34.46, 62.68, 168.03,
34.69, 17.92, 66.31 µg/g, 20.53, and 1.13 mg/g for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Mn respectively. The maximum
mean values were found for Fe, Mn, and Cr in sand and mud fractions. It was found that Mn and Fe are the most
mobile metals for both sand and mud fractions where they showed the highest percentages in the acid-soluble
fraction (the most labile) in all studied locations. The mobility of nickel, lead and zinc, also showed significant
increase. The Igeo indicates unpolluted to very low polluted level for all studied samples in sand and mud fraction.
Mean Effect Range Low quotient (ERLQ) and Effect Range Medium quotient were also calculated and all the
investigated samples showed ERMQ lower than 1 for both sand and mud fractions, implying that there no high
probability of adverse biological effects at least as far as heavy metals are concerned.
Keywords: Heavy metals, sediment, Mediterranean, sand, mud, ERLQ, ERMQ