Impact of wastewater discharge diversion on some heavy metals content in Alexandria coast

Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt and includes about 40% of the nation's industry. In the past, Alexandria city was discharging its wastewater either into the Mediterranean Sea along the city beaches or into Lake Maryut. In 1993, these outlets were closed except two main outlets at Qayet-Bey and EL-Mex Bay. The diverted wastewater is treated primarily and discharged into the sea at EL-Mex Bay. In the mean time, Environment Law 4/1994 prohibited all polluting establishments to discharge untreated wastes, which may cause pollution, along the Egyptian sea shores. The present work aims at assessing the improvement in the levels of some heavy metals in Alexandria coastal water after the diversion and the execution of Environment Law 4/1994 The study concluded that Abou-Qir water, and to a less extent Qayet-Bey water, was characterized by high averages of dissolved Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr. El-Agamy Bay water sustained the highest levels of Cd, Co, and Cr. Qayet-bey water represented the highest Ni average. Qayet-Bey water sustained the highest levels of particulate Cu, Zn, and to a less extent Co, Ni, and Cr. El-Agamy water contained the highest levels of both dissolved and particulate Cd. Contrary to the case of dissolved form, spring and to a less extent summer achieved the highest concentration of particulate Zn, Cd, and Ni. The results displayed that dissolved forms of most studied metals were higher in concentration than particulate ones. Zn and Cr, on the other hand, were found in particulate form to be slightly higher than those in dissolved forms. The presence of heavy metals in considerable levels in all the studied sites indicates that Alexandria coast is still subjected to the polluting land-based sources. The study suggested some recommendations to improve the situation including: industries should be enforced to treat their wastewater to comply with Law 4/1994, environmental impact assessment should be done for the new activities, continuous monitoring of the water quality of the beaches, and fishing from polluted areas should be prohibited

influence of land-based sources on the nutrients level in Abu-Qir bay

Surface and bottom water samples were collected bimonthly during the year 1990 at 23 localities covering Abou-Qir Bay area. The concentrations of P, N and Si showed great temporal as well as spatial variations. Significant positive correlation coefficients were found between most of nutrient salts and chlorophyll a, explaining the dependence of phytoplankton growth on these ions. The calculated inverse correlations between the nutrient contents and salinity, on the other hand, demonstrated the allochthonous origin of most of these salts. Phosphorus appears as the most important limiting factor where the N: P ratio average ranged between 24: 1 and 36: 1 at the off- and near-shore localities, respectively. Occasionally, nitrogen tends to be a controlling factor particularly during winter and autumn seasons, where the N: P ratio was found below 4.5: 1. The Si: P ratio varied widely from >100: 1, affected by different factors. The high ratios calculated for September samples collected at the near- shore localities may have resulted from autochthonous processes [regeneration from sediments for silicates] as well as from allochthonous contribution [drainage water]. The ratios were highly reduced during winter as a result of diatom uptake. Chlorophyll a biomass in Abou-Qir water was found in a considerable concentration [0 - 9.57 mg/m3] with an annual average of 1.15 mg/m3

Organic pollutants in Abu Qir Bay

Natural sea water contains many dissolved organic compounds in minute concentrations. Among them are: Detergents, phenolic compounds and urea. These compounds originate from life processes in the sea. Dissolved organic compounds are utilized by many, if not all, forms of marine life, in one way or another. The results revealed that the detergent concentrations are comparable with those recorded previously in the same area. For the concentrations of phenolic compounds in Abou-Qir Bay the results did not reach danger levels for aquatic life compared with those recorded previously in the Eastern Harbor and El- Max Bay. For urea content it is clear that the bay is affected by the wastes from the Abou-Qir Fertilizer Company

Eutrophication syndrome in the western harbour of Alexandria, Egypt

Considerable amounts of untreated domestic, industrial and agricultural waters are discharged daily into the western harbour, and affect markedly the physical, chemical and biological properties. Hydrographic and phytoplankton data were collected bimonthly during 1989 from the surface and bottom water at selected eight stations representing the different habitats in the harbour. The Secchi-disc transparency was low, it averaged 1.8 m. the pH of the water lies mostly between 7.6 and 8.9. the surface values were slightly higher than that of the bottom. The surface water salinity was greatly affected by inland discharge the minimum value of 28.965% was recorded in February. The most striking features are low oxygen content in the surface water which coincided with relatively high values of oxidizable organic matter, nutrient salts and total phytoplankton counts. The P:N ratio of 1:16 which is similar to the oceanic ratio. The phytoplankton standing crop averaged 6.7 x 10[6] celle. L[1] in the surface water, which is higher than the records of the open sea. Strong positive correlation was obtained between pH value and chlorophy ll-a in summer, and between phosphate and diophyceae during February. Also strong negative correlations were obtained between secchi-disc transparency and each of the water temperature, organic matter and water salinity as well as between salinity and reactive silicate

Water characteristics, chlorophyll-a and zooplankton population at Kait Bey Region[Alexandria]

More than 0.5x10[6]m[3] of domestic waste water are discharged daily at Kait Bey area and affecting markedly the physical, chemical and biological properties of the echo-system. Hydrographic and biological data collected monthly during the period from August, 1987 to August, 1988 showed both horizontal and vertical variations in the physico-chemical parameters of the sea water. The pH of water lies mostly between 7.8 and 8.2 which are less alkaline than the open water. Sewage wastes diluted the sea water and salinity values dropped to reach its minimum of 22.5%. in September. The most striking features are the poorly oxygenated surface water accompanied with relatively high content of oxidizable organic matter, particularly during summer months. The concentration of chlorophyll A in the surface water reached its highest averages in these warm months [3.8-4.8 mg/m[3]]. The maximum persistence of zooplankton was also in summer [June - August] and early autumn [October]. The bottom layer harboured high density of the zooplankton with annual average of 181x10[3] organisms/m[3]. This value decreased to 67x10[3] organisms/m[3] at the surface water. The community composition of zooplankton at both the two layers was nearly similar and it consisted mainly of copepods [69% and 70% by number of the total population in the two layers, respectively] and ciliates [24% and 17%]. Appendicular and larval stages of both cirripeds and polychaets were also frequently recorded

Some chemical parameters as indicators for the water pollution along Alexandria beach

An attempt to classify Alexandria recreational areas on the basis of chemical quality of the water was done. Emphasis was placed on the effect of the construction of the new sewage system resulted in the improvement of the water quality in the eastern part of beach. temperature, salinity, pH, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, oxidizable organic matter and ammonia-N in addition to BOD and [H2 S] were measured monthly in the surface water along the Alexandria beaches[Abu-Qir- Anfoushi] during the period July 1986 to June 1987 and in July and August 1988. The results give a distinct difference between the water quality of the eastern and western parts of beaches. A considerable variation was also detected in the eastern part between 1986, 1987 and 1988