Trace Elements in the Beach and Near Shore Sediments of the Mediterranean Coast of the Eastern Part of Nile Delta

Document Type : Original articles

Authors

1 National Water Research Center, Coastal Research Institute, 15 El Pharaana Street, 21514, Alexandria, Egypt

2 Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Egypt

Abstract

Heavy metals in the beach and near shore seafloor sediments along the Mediterranean coast of the eastern part of Nile Delta were extracted from sediments using the EPA (Environmental protection Agency) Test Method 1311-TCLP, (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) in order to identify their distribution, characterize the Quality of the coastal sediments and predicted the potential point sources of sediments pollution in the area.
It has been found that Aluminum, Barium, Manganese, Lead, Cobalt, Chromium, Cupper, Iron, and Zinc are present within the permissible level of USA sediment quality Guidelines (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation). The content levels of Mercury (0.379 – 2.96) and Cadmium (0.002 - 6.7) exceed the risk levels for metals contamination in sediments.
The peak of cadmium content (6.7 ppm) in the sediment samples near the dumping location of Gamasa drain identified the drain as a point source for cadmium contamination.

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