Abstract
Background and aimMediterranean Sea, Egypt is an economically important marine environment. During the last decades there has been extensive increase in the levels of urbanization and industrialization along its coastal area. Therefore, the present work attempts to determine the status of heavy metals distribution in sediment samples, and their ecological risk assessment in the studied area.Materials and methodsTwenty surfacial sediment samples were collected from different selected stations along the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea. The samples were homogenized and placed into sealed polyethylene bags, carried to the laboratory in an ice box and stored at −20 °C in the dark until analysis.ResultsThe results revealed that Fe had the highest mean value (243–38045 μgg−1) followed by Mn (17–1086 μgg−1), and a lower concentrations were found for Co (0.43–26.39 μgg−1) and Cd (0.04–0.47 μgg−1). Risk assessment showed that Cd had the highest ecological risk (Er = 21.52), followed by Pb (Er = 3.01), while Zn had the lowest risk (Er = 0.23). Both the ecotoxicological index method and the potential ecological risk index (RI) suggested that the combined ecological risk of the studied metals may be low. Multivariate statistical analysis (Cluster and Factor analysis) suggested that the lithogenic factor dominants the distribution of most part of the considered metals in the study area.ConclusionMultivariate analysis has been proved to be an effective tool for providing suggestive information regarding heavy metal sources and pathways. The results of this study provide valuable information about metal contamination in sediments along the Mediterranean Sea for over than 1200 km.
Highlights
Heavy metals pollution of aquatic environment has become a great concern in recent years [1]
The results of this study provide valuable information about metal contamination in sediments along the Mediterranean Sea for over than 1200 km
Association with adverse biological effects to aquatic biota was assessed using the classification of sediments and sediment quality Guidelines (SQGs)
Summary
Heavy metals pollution of aquatic environment has become a great concern in recent years [1]. Heavy metals might accumulate up to toxic concentrations levels, and cause ecological damage [3]. While metals settled in sediments may be re-suspended and cause secondary contamination to the water environment, because sediments act both as a sink and a source for metals in the aquatic environment [8] This fact converts the sediments in a permanent record of anthropogenic pollutants inputs [9]. Spatial surveys of metal concentrations in the sediments and comparisons with non-polluted baselines are important to understand the mechanisms of Soliman et al Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering (2015) 13:70 accumulation and geochemical distribution of heavy metals in the aquatic systems and to provide basic information for the judgment of environmental health risks [10]. The present work attempts to determine the status of heavy metals distribution in sediment samples, and their ecological risk assessment in the studied area
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
