Concentration Level of some Dissolved Trace metals in Mediterranean Coastal water N-W- Egypt.

Concentration Level of some Dissolved Trace metals in Mediterranean
Coastal water N-W- Egypt.
Abdel Ghani, S.A.H., El Naggar, M.F., El Zokm, G.M., Shakweer, L.
and Okbah, M.A.
Marine Chemistry Lab, Division of Marine Environment (NIOF), Alexandria, Egypt.
Corresponding author: E mail: [email protected]
Received 19th September 2010, Accepted 15th October 2010
Abstract
Surface and bottom seawater samples were collected during three seasonal cruises; spring, summer 2008 and
winter 2009 from 10 perpendicular sectors along the western part of the Egyptian Mediterranean coast. Dissolved
trace metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) were determined to investigate their distribution patterns and comparing their
levels with the minimal and hazardous concentrations. The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd, were scattered in
the ranges: (ND–49.87 μgL−1; mean 10.20±7.67 μgL−1), (0.27–72.46 μgL−1; mean 12.10±16.99 μgL−1), (0.04–29.77
μgL−1; mean 7.26±5.34 μgL−1) and, (0.19–6.41 μgL−1; mean 0.73±0.61 μgL−1), respectively. The results revealed a
wide range of variation and regional irregularities. It is also indicated significant higher concentration of Zn and Cu
compared to Pb and Cd. The study revealed that the mean concentrations of the metals examined here are higher
than those either reported for the Mediterranean Sea water or of typical of open ocean water. However, in most of
studied seasons they are at levels lower than the minimal risk concentrations reported by WQC (1972). In all cases
the average concentrations of trace elements in the investigated area are far from the hazardous concentrations.
Keywords: Trace metals, South East Mediterranean Sea, N-W-Egypt