Abstract
There have been growing concerns over the alarming threats to marine and terrestrial ecosystems from the improper discharge of effluents into water bodies worldwide, including Tunisia. Despite the large flow of data on the environmental pollution of various sites, little data is currently available on the physicochemical, geochemical conditions of the seawater of the Gulf of Gabes (South East Tunisia). Accordingly, the present study was undertaken to investigate and evaluate the physicochemical, biochemical and geochemical properties and attributes of the water and sediment samples from the coastal dumping sites of the Boudriere PK4, Ouady Ezzit, Ouady Maou, Sidi Salem, Sidi Mansour, Thyna and Sfax harbour. The results revealed that the marine environment in the title sites was alarming, suffering from heavily loaded pollutants from various sources that are predominantly discharged without preliminary or inadequate treatment. The total suspended matter (TSM) values recorded in the waters along the coastal sites were higher than the standard norms. In fact, more than 4350 mg/l of TSM were recorded at the coast, and the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values exceeded the standard limits, reaching 300 mg/L and 1050 mg/L, respectively. The total oxidizable matter, representing BOD5 and COD, also exceeded 1360 mg/L. Low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations fluctuating between 0 and 2.95 mg/L were observed, except for some oueds. This reflected high levels of DO depletion and a tendency towards anoxic conditions. High hydrocarbon loads were also observed. Heavy metal pollution was equally alarming. Overall, the results indicated that the serious organic and mineral contamination of the Tunisian Mediterranean coastline calls for urgent action from state authorities and the public to remediate polluted sites and better control non-complying effluent discharge activities.
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