Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of As, Se, Sn, and Hg in Water and Sediments from the Egyptian Red Sea Ports

Abstract

Background: Pollution monitoring is an important tool to protect the marine ecosystems where ports had been seen as a source of contamination affecting the public wellbeing. Methods: Therefore, in the present study, surface seawater and surficial sediment samples were collected from 19 stations covering six ports of the Egyptian Red Sea during summer 2017 and winter 2018. The concentrations of As, Se, Sn, and Hg were determined using the Hydride system MH10 coupled with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The obtained data revealed that mean values of AS, Se, Sn and Hg for water samples were ranged between 2.556-10.536, 0.143–0.506, 0.474-2.660, and 0.109-0.365 µg/L, respectively; which showed its highest mean values during winter for As, Sn, and Hg, while Se was in summer. For sediment samples, mean values of the studied metals were ranged between 2.935-11.748, 0.157-0.195, 0.406-4.402, and 0.017-0.107 µg/g, respectively. Statistically, in general, average values of the studied metals showed significant variation in water and sediments between the different ports; with high values in Port-Tawfiq and Zayteiat ports according to the calculated MPI values. Conclusion: Finally, levels of the studied elements were found in the permissible limits and background levels for water and sediments; and to assess the impacts of the port’s activities, it must be carried out more investigations.