Circulation And Water Masses And Their Implication On Pollutant Transport During Summer In Abuquir Bay (Egypt)

Abstract

Abuquir Bay is a shallow area with a mean depth of about 10 meters, and it is affected by significant sources of industrial and agricultural pollutants. Water masses, the distribution of dissolved oxygen and total suspended matter, as well as the water circulation in this area are discussed using hydrographic data collected in September, 1984, at 40 stations. In Summer, horizontal distributions of oxygen, salinity and currents showed a strong outflow from the Maadia outlet, which connects the bay with Idku Lake. Therefore, it is expected that agricultural pollutants from Lake Idku are dispersed in the above current direction. The density current plays an important role in the observed water movement in the bay. The high concentration of suspended matter was associated with lower oxygen values due to oxidation of organic matter. The currents are strong enough to initiate the sediment movement and to intensify the coastal processes. This sediment motion could also transport adsorbed pollutants to the offshore area.