Residue levels of organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyl [PCB's] in some organisms from the mediterranean sea off Alexandria, Egypt

Four species of fish, three species of crustacean and one species of green algae were collected from the Mediterranean sea off Alexandria, and analysed for their DDT'S, PCB's and lindane content the results indicate that the higher concentration of PCB 's was found in Sardina spp. And the lower was found in penaeus japonicus. While the high level of lindane content was found in portunus pelagica. The concentration factor [cf] of EPCB' s EDDT' s and EHCH is high in sardine spp. Content. The ratios between DDE/PCB are significantly different for fish [0.22 +/- 0.12], while in crustaceans the ratio was 0.29 +/- 0.15 and 0.023 for algae. The results obtained for accumulation of pesticides within the food chain in marine organisms collected from the Egyptian waters are in good agreement with those obtained from other regions of the Mediterranean Sea

physical and chemical conditions of Abu-Qir bay waters, Alexandria, Egypt

The present study was undertaken preliminary to a major study of examination of the recent environmental condition of Abu-Qir Bay of Alexandria which is considered as the most industrialized area in Alexandria. In order to achieve the objective of the present study, a very comprehensive study was carried out during 1990. Here, the results on temperature, salinity, hydrogen ion concentration, [pH], dissolved oxygen, oxidixable organic matter, hydrogen sulphide, chlorophyll-a, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate are reported. The levels of which are scattered in the ranges [16.3-3040 C], [18.63-40.32%], [7.29-8.74], [0 00-6.30 ml/L[-1]], [0.47-11.72 mg 0[2] .L[-1]], [0.01-1 58 mg./L[-1]], [0.60-6.93 mg.m], [0.53-24 39 ug at .L[-1]], [0.04-2.00 ug at. L[-1]], [0.01-8.0 ug at.L[-1]] and 10.00-3.30 ug at.L[-1]] The present study revealed that the discharge of drainage and industrial waters affected the salinity levels, particularly, at the surface; sometimes rob the water of the Bay from its oxygen reserve and as a result of disposal of polluted waters. The ratio of H[2] S/NH[3] was found to be 0.60 for the whole area. The calculated amount of dissolved oxygen present after complete oxidation of organic matter [47-50%] was also lower than those recorded in the eastern harbour and El-Mex Bay during 1989 and western harbour during 1990. As a result of discharge of domestic and industrial effluents rich in detergents, eutrophication signs were reported in Abu-Qir Bay. The N/P ratio [22:1] suggests that phosphorus is the most limiting factor for the growth of algae in the Bay

Environmental condition of the western harbour of Alexandria: I-physico-chemical characteristics

A study was carried out in order to evaluate the recent environmental condition of the Western harbour of Alexandria during the period from August 1988 to June 1989. The levels of temperature, salinity, hydrogen ion concentration [pH], dissolved oxygen, hydrogen sulphide, chlorophy11-a, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and inorganic phosphate are scattered in the ranges [17.00-30.50C], [24.92-39.09%], [7.70-9.25], [0.00-8.35 nl/D], [0.22-13.60 mg 0/1], [1.61-4.30 mg/1], [0.02-7.22 mg/m], [0.72-26.98/ug it/I], [0.07-2.84/ug at.1].[0.036-24,69/ig at./I] and [0.003-3.98 > ug at./I]. Hydrogen sulphide-ammonia showed an obvious relationship. The calculated ratio of H[2]S/NH[3]- was 0.49 which is much lower than the theoretical value of anoxic water. The calculated amount of dissolved oxygen present after complete oxidation of organic matter [54-55%] was comparable to that recorded in the Eastern harbour and El-Mex Bay during 1988. The mean annual ratio of N/P [14:1] suggests that phosphorus is the most limiting factor for the growth of algae in the harbour

Major cations, alkalinity and their ratios to chlorinity in lake Edku

Water samples were collected seasonally from eight stations in Lake Idku during 1990 in order to investigate the impacts of waste, industrial and agricultural waters on the levels, distribution of chlorinity, alkalinity, sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium as well as their ratios to chlorinity. The levels of chlorinity, alkalinity, sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium are scattered in the ranges 0.5120-11.792%, 1.011-6.5920 ml eq./l, 1.5438- 10.8063, 0.0976-1.3957, 0.0166-0.5928 and 0.0648-0.2625. On the other hand, the ranges of specific alkalinity, sodium/chlorinity, magnesium/chlorinity, calcium/chlorinity and potassium/chlorinity were as follows: 0.1707-8.8141, 0.269-3.6660, 0.0206-1.204, 0.0054-0.0650 and 0.0083-0.1914. The distributions of chlorinity, alkalinity, and major cations as well as their ratios to chlorinity exhibited wide regional and seasonal variations resulting from the sea waters entering the lake from Abou-Qir Bay as well as from waste, industrial and agricultural effluents. The relationships between alkalinity, major cations and chlorinity are also affected by the different effluents. Except alkalinity-chlorinity, calcium- chlorinity and sodium-chlorinity, no other definite relationships could be deduced

Effect of pollution by hydrogen sulphide on certain aquatic organisms

The toxicity of hydrogen sulphide toward some marine aquatic organisms; namely; Tilapia gallilae; Nauplii larvae; of Artemia salina, Ocenebra erinacea and Idotea baltica have been studied. The results of the present study indicated that both Nauplii larvae and Ocenebra erinacea are very resistant to the effect of hydrogen sulphide even at very high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide [30 mg/1 and 42 mg/1 respectively] during the period of investigation. The hydrogen sulphide affected the survival of Tilapia gallilae to a degree of 21.5%; while the time factor contributed by only 3.47. It was difficult to get a 50% mortality with Tilapia gallilae after 7 days and at a maximuir concentration of hydrogen sulphide [16 mg/1]. The survival rate of Idotea baltica was affected to a degree of 65.5% after 9 days and at a concentration level of 10 mg/1. The time factor played a role by only l5.8%. The LC[50] was achieved at a concentration level of 6.6 mg/1 of hydrogen sulphide