Spatial, seasonal distribution and ecological risk assessment of Zn, Cr, and Ni in Red Sea surface sediments, Egypt

Abstract

Recently, the marine ecology in the Red Sea coast has been altered due to various anthropogenic activities that led to an accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in its sediments. To evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution and the ecological risk assessment along the study area of the Egyptian Red Sea coast, fourteen samples of sediments were collected during spring and autumn in 2015. The present study aimed to address chromium, zinc, nickel, total carbonate and organic matter in the sampled sediments to assess the risk. In both seasons, the descending order of metal concentrations was Zn > Cr > Ni. The level of studied metals was compared to the background and sediment quality guideline (SQG) values. Results revealed that an adverse biological effect in some sites was possible. Zinc, for instance, recorded higher averages than those of the background and those detected along worldwide coasts. Additionally, to evaluate pollution, methodologies such as the enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), pollution index (PI) and modified pollution index (MPI) were calculated and interpreted.

Biosorption of Arsenic (III) and Arsenic (V) from Aqueous Solutions: Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies using Mangrove Leaf Biomass (Avicennia marina)

“…When present at high concentrations, these metals significantly impact various components of natural ecosystems (Soliman et al, 2020;El-Naggar, et al, 2021;Taher et al, 2023;. Industries such as smelters, metal refineries, and mining operations are recognized as major contributors to releasing metals into the environment (Hanafy et al, 2021;.…”

Investigating the Biosorption Potential of Ulva intestinalis Linnaeus for Efficient Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solutions

“…The escalating importance of preserving and enhancing water quality is steadily gaining recognition due to its essential role in sustaining life. Water resources face contamination from a myriad of sources (Hanafy et al, 2021;Younis et al, 2023). The rapid advancements in technology on a global scale in recent times have resulted in significant adverse effects on the natural environment, particularly the contamination resulting from intensified industrialization, agricultural practices, global environmental transformations, and various human activities.…”

Assessment of heavy metal distribution, contamination, and ecological risk in mangrove sediments of the Nabq Protectorate, Gulf of Aqaba

“…The increasing presence of heavy metal pollutants has emerged as a growing concern in recent decades due to their persistent nature and detrimental effects on water and soil ecosystems (Weis et al, 2004;Huang et al, 2011;Na et al, 2013;Younis, 2020). Typically, the release of contaminants into the environment is primarily attributed to untreated or inadequately treated industrial wastewater effluents, vehicle emissions, mining activities, and coal combustion (Li et al, 2009;Sun et al, 2010;Hanafy et al, 2021;El-Naggar et al, 2021;Younis et al, 2023). Mangrove ecosystems, commonly found in estuaries or coastal areas, play a significant role in mitigating metal pollution by participating in the dispersion of pollutants within their biogeochemical cycles, facilitating their transfer between land and sea.…”