Mercury and tin contents in water and sediments along the Mediterranean shoreline of Egypt

Abstract

Surface seawater and surficial sediment samples were collected from the Egyptian Mediterranean beach during May 2010 to study the impact of land-based activity on the distribution of mercury and tin. Hg and Sn were analyzed by using Hydride system MH10 coupled with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The obtained data indicated that Nile Delta, Port Said and Alexandria beaches, which are the most industrialized areas in the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea, showed high levels of mercury in water compared to other studied sites. These areas receive huge amounts of wastes from many sources. Sinai side and north coast beaches could be used as reference sites, as they are almost uncontaminated without harmful outfalls. In the same context, Alexandria beach showed the absolute high level of tin in water (1.225μg/l), while the minimum level was recorded at Port Said area (0.226μg/l). On the other hand, the highest mean value of Hg in sediments (14.938ng/g) was found in Sinai Beach and Sn (1.414μg/g) was at Alexandria beach. ANOVA analysis was used to show the difference in the concentration of Hg and Sn in water and sediments throughout the different studied Parts. Also correlation coefficient was calculated to show the relationship between Hg and Sn in water and sediments of the investigated area.