Mercury Pollution In Abu Kir Bay East Of Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Abu Kir Bay, east of Alexandria, is subjected to substantial pollution from two direct point sources which are Tabia Pumping Station (TPS) and Lake Edku Outlet (LEO). Mercury was speciated into dissolved reactive, dissolved organic and particulate in the Bay effluents and coastal waters. The Bay surficial sediments were also analysed for their mercury content. Total Hg concentrations and fluxes from TPS (1739 ngl-' and 3.13 kg d-') to the Bay are considerably higher than those from LEO (516 ngl-' and 1.81 kg d-'). Average Hg levels in the Bay Waters were 6.6 ngl-1,1.2 ngl-1 and 28.5 ngl-1, respectively, for reactive, organic and particulate phases. The Hg spatial distribution in the Bay waters and sediments showed a distinct impact from the two land-based sources of pollution. From the total mercury load to the Bay, 4.94 kgd-', flushing of the Bay to the open sea removes 25% and sedimentation within the Bay reaches 56%. (2.76 kgd-' out of 4.94 kgd-1).