Enrichment of Zinc, Copper, Lead and Nickel in Bottom Sediments from three Environmentally Different Regions off Alexandria, Egypt

Enrichment of Zinc, Copper, Lead and Nickel in Bottom Sediments
from three Environmentally Different Regions off Alexandria, Egypt
M. Kh. Khalil and A.E. Rifaat
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.
E-mail: [email protected]
Received 19th April 2010, Accepted 10th May 2010
Abstract
Bottom sediment samples from different regions off Alexandria (Sidi Krir, Eastern Harbor and Abu Qir bay)
were collected in summer 2009. These samples are characterized by different environment settings and are subjected
to pollution from different sources. Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb & Ni), grain size
analysis, organic matter and carbonate contents were determined. An assessment of the present status of the studied
regions was carried out by calculating the enrichment factors (EF), of such metals, using the background
concentration level as a base. The results revealed that the Eastern Harbor represents the highest degree of
enrichment followed by Abu Qir Bay and Sidi Krir. The high enrichment factors in the Eastern Harbor sediments
may be attributed to the consequences of long residence times and the effluent that may accumulate over time,
entailing the semi-enclosed basin to have high concentrations of pollutants compared to the more open areas Sidi
Krir and Abu Qir Bay. The results of factor analysis showed that, both mean grain size and organic matter are the
main controlling factors behind the metal enrichment in sediments.
Key word: heavy metals; sediments; enrichment; Sidi Krir; Abu Qir; Eastern Harbor