Journal of Environmental Biology

Environmental implications of surface sediments from

coastal lagoons in the Red Sea coast

Hashem A. Madkour², Mohamed Anwar K abdelhalim¹, Kwasi? A. Obirikorang³, Ahmed W. Mohamed²

and Abu El-Hagag N. Ahmed⁴ and? A. El-Taher^5,6*

¹Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

²National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries , Red Sea Branch, Hurghada 8451, Egypt

³Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkru, University of Science and Technology (KNUST),Kumasi, Ghana.

⁴Geological Survey of Egypt

⁵Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Qassim University, 51452 Buraydah, KSA

⁶Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit 71452, Egypt

*Corresponding Author E-mail: atef.eltaher@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

11 May 2015

Revised received:

06 September 2015

Accepted:

28 September 2015

Abstract

Several investigations including nature and geochemistry of surface sediments were carried out on forty-two sediment samples collected from Abu-Shaar, Abu-Galwa, Umm al-Huwaytāt and Marsa Shūni lagoons located along with the Egyptian Red Sea coast. The sediments of Abu-Galawa and Abu-Shaar lagoons had highest carbonate content due to dominance of biogenic sediments from the surrounding coral reefs and very little of terrigenious influx. The mud content recorded high values in Umm al-Huwaytāt and Marsa Shūni lagoons as compared with other two lagoons due to high contribution of terrigenous influx, especially near Umm al-Huwaytāt lagoon.The sediments of Marsa Shūni lagoon had highest total organic matter content as compared to other three lagoons resulting from high contribution of terrestrial input by Wadi El-Shūni. Phosphorus content in sdiments samples from Umm al-Huwaytāt lagoon recorded highest values. The investigation of distribution of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in surficial sediments of the coastal lagoons indicated that the degree of metal pollution was caused by anthropogenic activities or by natural impact by wadies. The present study provides information about nature and geochemistry of sediments and the extent of pollution that represents primary data base for managers to assess anthropogenic impacts, and better for detecting remedial meseaurs in future. ?       

 Key words

Coastal lagoons, Egypt, Geochemistry, Red sea, Texture 

Copyright ? 2015 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).