THE NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER IN THE GULF WATERS

THE NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SUSPENDED

PARTICULATE MATTER IN THE GULF WATERS

AT AL-KHOR, QATAR.

ALI I. BELTAGY

.. .. Mari ne Bi 01 ogi ca1 Stati on •
Al-Ghardaqa. Red Sea. Egypt.
ABSTRACT
The whitening of the Gulf water at Al-Khor and several
other shallow areas is a cOlllllOn phenmenon of the Arabian
Gul f. In other areas of the world. 1ike the Bahama Banks.
thi s phenomenon appears to be due to suspended carbonate
particles in the water column. At Al-Khor. surnended
particulate matter samples were collected and the nature
and characteristics of these particulate matter were
studied. It was found that the concentration of suspended
matter varied between 15 mg and 25 mg/l. and was mainly
of calcium carbonate. Particle size analysis showed that
most of the particles were in the clay size range. However.
the particles tend to floculate to form aggregates of
larger sizes. (>B J.l).
The characteristics of the . suspended matter. that is
its ‘ability to absorb nutrients. particularly phosphate
ions. were investigated. It was found that its capacity
was low and may be compared with coarse sand from other
areas.
The study is of importance with regard to productivity
and ‘pollution studies in the.area.