ICEH Papers

COPPER SPECIATION IN THE SEDIMENTS OF THE POLLUTED EASTERN HARBOR OF ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Saad, Massoud A.H. and Nadia B. Badr “Copper Speciation In The Sediments Of The Polluted Eastern Harbor Of Alexandria, Egypt” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 417 – 426.

Abstract:

The Eastern Harbor (EH)), a small shallow semicircular basin, is influenced by sewage disposal from Alexandria City. This study deals with regional distribution of total copper (TCu) and it species in the sediments of this polluted harbor. The high TCu content adjacent to the harbor’s opening reflects the effect of untreated sewage discharges and that of the boatyard area resulted from antifouling paints. The TCu data indicate the increase in metal concentrations by a factor of~10 during the last decades, confirming the effect of increased sewage discharges into this area, causing health problems. A five step sequential extraction technique was used to describe the chemical association of copper with major sedimentary phases; exchangeable (F1), carbonates (F2), Fe/Mn oxides (F3), organic/sulfides (F4), and residual associations (F5). The Cu fractions in the EH’s sediments decreased in the following order: F5 > F4 > F3 > F2 > F1 . The distribution pattern of these fractions is mostly controlled by the mineral composition of sediments and the anthropogenic wastes introduced to the study area. The low association of copper with F1 confirms that metal was low in the soluble form. The higher value of F2 at the center of the EH coincided with abundance of the biogenic clastics as major source of carbonates in the sediments of this area. The high concentrations of F3 in the suspended matter and sediments at the boatyard area and the EH’s opening indicate the interaction between both phases. The high level of F4 is not surprising, due to continuous accumulation of organic matter from large amounts of domestic sewage discharging. A significant positive correlation (r=0.971, n=4, p>0.02) between F5 in suspended matter and sediments was detected, indicating interaction between both phases.

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