CHEMISTRY OF SEA WATER WEST OF ALEXANDRIA.

CHEMISTRY OF SEA WATER WEST OF ALEXANDRIA.
H.1. EMARA *, M.F. ISKANDER ** AND F.N. ASSAD*
* Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries. Arexandria, Egypt.
** Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University.
ABSTRACT
Water samples collected from the area west of Alexandria during
the peri od from January to November 1977, showed that the area of
A1amein was higher in oxygen concentration by 0.41 m111 (8%
saturation) than E1-Mex region which is more affected by industrial
wastes. The concentration of the plant nutrients was very low.
However, the inshore water was slightly higher than the offshore
water. The low N:P ratio (4:1) indicates a faster assimilation of
nitrate than for phosphate, while the very high rati Si:P (170:1)
indicates a slackening of phytoplankton grow~h and regeneration
of silicon. High concentrations of organic matter up to 4.20 mg
02/L were recorded in February due to the effect of Ummum dra in.
The amount ‘of oxygen present after complete oxidation of organic.
matter varied from 56 to 80 %throughout the year.