WATER CHARACTERISTICS OF ALEXANDRIA HOT SPOTS

WATER CHARACTERISTICS OF ALEXANDRIA HOT SPOTS
RAMZY B. NESSIM*, MAMDOUH S. MASOUD**
AND NERMEN N. MAXIMOUS*
A
* National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.
** Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
*
a National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.
Keywords: Hot Spots, Abu-Qir, El-Mex, Oceanography, Water criteria.
ABSTRACT
Two hot spots under the direct effect of pollutants were chosen at Abu-Qir and El-Mex
bays in addition to some samples taken from the adjacent pumping stations and El-Umum
drain. Physico-chemical measurements were done on the water samples collected
seasonally during the year 2003-2004 at these sites to determine the levels of
hydrographical parameters and biogenic elements.
Temporal as well as spatial fluctuations and statistical correlations between the
analyzed variables were examined. A wide range of water temperature (17-29
ºC) was
measured. Salinity had a wide range for bays samples (28-36 ‰), while the drain water
salinity did not exceeds 5‰. Abu-Qir water is little higher oxygenated (1.35-5.14 ml / L)
than that of El- Mex bay (1.21 – 4.18 ml / L) or drain water (0.50 – 3.48 ml /L). The
discharged effluents through El–Tabia pumping station are loaded with high amounts of
oxidizable organic matter ( up to 47 mg O2
/ L) while the level in the bays shore water did
not reach 22 mg O2
/ L. The drain water showed high alkalinity up to 10 meq / L compared
with lower values of the bays (< 5 meq / L). Nutrient salts in drain water showed high levels up to 28, 346, 42 and 22 µM for phosphates, silicates, ammonia and nitrites, respectively, compared with lower levels of the bays. Nitrate was found as traces in most samples; however, the water taken during Jan. 2003 from El-Tabia pumping station gave the highest level. High Chlorophyll-a level (5-7 mg /L) was obtained in the bays samples reflecting a certain eutrophication condition.