Environmental impact of waste brine disposal of desalination plants, Red Sea, Egypt

Abstract

There is little information on productivity of the Red Sea which is low. Regarding species diversity, there is relative paucity of Red Sea phytoplankton compared to that in the Indian Ocean. Phytoplankton production is essential for all subsequent stages of the trophic pyramid and the fishery potential of the area. On the other hand, the Red Sea is often considered to be rich in fish. However, this is really due to a wealth of diversity. It is well known that there has been impact through opening of the Suez Canal on the exchange and migration of species, i.e. there are about 30 species of Red Sea fish identified in the Mediterranean in 1973. The coastal waters of the Red Sea are characterized by a wide shelf with shallow reefs and small islands. The presence of important coral formations in the Red Sea promotes the existence of specific planktonic species which increase the diversity of marine life. The planktonic communities above and around the coral reef formations are abundant in larval forms of benthic species such as worms, crustaceans, mollusks, fish and echinoderms.