Distribution of some heavy metals in coastal recreational areas off Port-Said

ABSTRACT

During the period from July 1992 to June 1993 samples were taken from 7 areas at port-said coast. The distribution of dissolved and particulate [Seston] heavy metals are reported with their relationships to salinity. The concentration of dissolved heavy metals ranged between 0.15-0.68 ppb, 0.15-2.90 ppb, 0.38-1.99 ppb and 0.62-7.62 ppb for Cd, Cu, pb and zn respectively in the same respect, these values for particulate forms [seston] were 0.00-0.25 ppb, 0.08-0.92 ppb, 0.10-1.52 ppb and 1.16-9.92 ppb. In areas of high salinity, higher concentrations of dissolved Cd and Cu were found to be not affected with local inputs, but the situation with respect to lead and zinc were found to be more complicated. The opposite was found for particulate Cd and Cu. At lower salinities, higher or lower Cd, Cu, pb and Zn concentrations were found to be associated with local inputs