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The purpose of this study was to assess the north coasts of the Egyptian Red Sea, including Ras Gharieb, Hurghada, Safaga and Qusier, by evaluating the heavy metal pollution in seawater and benthic flora and fauna in the winter and summer of 2016. The concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb) were analysed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results revealed that the Fe levels in the seawater ranged from 7.86 and 27.95 μg l−1, while the Zn concentrations fell between 1.83 and 5.63 μg l−1. In contrast, the recorded values of Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd in the seawater were minimal at the study sites. Regarding the biota samples, Porifera species were more adaptable than others to an accumulation of most metals in their tissues. Furthermore, seaweeds and seagrasses demonstrated remarkable adaptation in highly polluted regions, especially those with high turbidity, landfilling, sedimentation and high eutrophication rates – much more than the benthic fauna. Our research highlights the critical need for strict regulation of metal emissions in these coastal regions.
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The purpose of this study was to assess the north coasts of the Egyptian Red Sea, including Ras Gharieb, Hurghada, Safaga and Qusier, by evaluating the heavy metal pollution in seawater and benthic flora and fauna in the winter and summer of 2016. The concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb) were analysed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results revealed that the Fe levels in the seawater ranged from 7.86 and 27.95 μg l−1, while the Zn concentrations fell between 1.83 and 5.63 μg l−1. In contrast, the recorded values of Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd in the seawater were minimal at the study sites. Regarding the biota samples, Porifera species were more adaptable than others to an accumulation of most metals in their tissues. Furthermore, seaweeds and seagrasses demonstrated remarkable adaptation in highly polluted regions, especially those with high turbidity, landfilling, sedimentation and high eutrophication rates – much more than the benthic fauna. Our research highlights the critical need for strict regulation of metal emissions in these coastal regions.

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in seawater, benthic flora and fauna and their ability to survive under stressors along the northern Red Sea, Egypt

International Ph.D. program in Environmental Science and Technology (University System of Taiwan), Institute of Analytical and Environmental Sciences, College of Nuclear Science

Department of Zoology, Marine Science Division, College of Science

Institute of Analytical and Environmental Sciences, College of Nuclear Science

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The purpose of this study was to assess the north coasts of the Egyptian Red Sea, including Ras Gharieb, Hurghada, Safaga and Qusier, by evaluating the heavy...

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in seawater, benthic flora and fauna and their ability to survive under stressors along the northern Red Sea, Egypt

Article Category: Original research paper

Published Online: Jan 18, 2023

Page range: 355 - 370

Received: Oct 10, 2022

Accepted: Oct 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26881/oahs-2022.4.05

Keywords
Red Sea, heavy metals, seawater pollution, bioaccumulation, marine fauna, flora

© 2022 Ahmed Salah-Tantawy et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in seawater, benthic flora and fauna and their ability to survive under stressors along the northern Red Sea, Egypt

Article Category: Original research paper

Published Online: Jan 18, 2023

Page range: 355 - 370

Received: Oct 10, 2022

Accepted: Oct 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26881/oahs-2022.4.05

KeywordsRed Sea, heavy metals, seawater pollution, bioaccumulation, marine fauna, flora

© 2022 Ahmed Salah-Tantawy et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Red Sea, heavy metals, seawater pollution, bioaccumulation, marine fauna, flora