Assessment of Water Quality of Abu-Qir Bay
along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt
S.Nasr1, M. El-Raey1, M. El- Shenawy2, M. Okbah3, A, Abulsoeud4,
M. El-Hattab1, M. Abdel Khalik1
1234-
Institute of Graduate Studies & Research, Alex. University
National Research center
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries
Egyptian Environment Affairs Agency
Abstract
The present study is based on continuous monitoring of Abu-Qir Bay
along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt for five years extending from 1998 up to
2002. Monitoring programme for Abu-Qir Bay included bacteriological
parameters (Total coliform, E. coliand feacal streptococci), physical parameters
(salinity, conductivity, PH, depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen and
transparency) and chemical or eutrophication parameters (nitrite, nitrate, total
phosphorus, total nitrogen, ammonium, reactive phosphate, reactive silicate,
chlorophyll a and suspended particulate matter. The aim of the present
investigation is to establish a baseline knowledge of the water quality through
continuous survey from which a database is built up and to assess the state of
pollution in Abu-Qir Bay. In general, gradual improvement for the water quality
of Abu-Qir Bay have been noticed during the period of the investigated (19982002) continuous surveillance and enforcement of the Egyptian environmental
law (No. 4/1994) are the main reasons for this improvement.
Introduction
Eutrophication, from a Socio – political prespective, becomes a concern as
soon as it starts to endanger the volume of an important part of our marine
environmental as Abu-Qir Bay.
For all practical purposes therefore, a simple definition has been adopted
that tolds eutrophication to be a form of nutrient pollution that degrades and
endangers a natural resources of our marine environment, so eutrophication is
considered to be a symptom of pollution, where by addition of excess nutrients
lead to excess growth of algae with perhaps leading to high mortality of
heterotraphic organisms, particularly fish and benthic organisms. Thus to most
people eutrophic marine environment seems to mean striking change in an
ecosystem due to addition of nutrients from a variety of human activities.
Harmful impact of eutrophication which is related to beneficial uses, namely:
- The reduction of tourist – recreational value of coastal water due to reduced
transparency, changes in the color of seawater, phytoplankton blooms and
modified shore communities ….. etc.
- Health effects of algal toxic extra metabolites, directly or by accumulation in
sea-food organisms.
- The loss of fisheries resources, mainly as:
 Mass mortalities of demersal fish and invertebrates.
 Reduced or collapsed recruitment of inshore, estuarine and tidal lagoon fish
and shellfish.
 Hindrance of aquaculture and / or inquiring the quality of its product,
In Abu-Qir Bay, eutrophication in superficial waters results from several
phenomena which are winter vertical mixing of water, discharge of effluents
(River Nile, domestic, agricultural and industrial effluents) and natural terrestrial
run off.
The environmental information monitoring programme for Abu-Qir Bay in
its sampling design was stressed the measurement at major industrial settlement
along the Bay, coastal communities i.e. Abu-Qir city, Maadia, Idku and Rashid
villages, river Nile estuary at Rosetta. and outlet of lake Idku.
In general sources of pollution in Abu-Qir Bay are industrial, agricultural
and domestic
The main target for the environmental information monitoring programme
of Abu-Qir Bay is to establish a baseline knowledge of the water quality through
continuous survey from which a database is built up. The results of this study
will be used to establish quantitive and causal relations between pollution
sources and pollution impact.
Study area
Abu-Qir Bay is a semi-circular basin which lies at about 35 km northeast
of Alexandria city, between longitude 300 4’ and 300 20’ East and latitude 310 16’
and 310 28’ North, (Fig.ure 1). Its total area is about 500 km2. The bay has a
shoreline length of about 50 km. It is relatively shallow with a depth ranging
from less than one meter along the coast, increasing gradually away from the
shore to reach a maximum depth of about 15m. The slope of the beach is gentle
backed by a belt of and dunes. The bay is bordered from the west by Abu-Qir
Peninsula and from the East by Rosetta Peninsula where the Rosetta branch of
the River Nile flows into the sea. Bottom sediment distribution of Abu-Qir Bay
is affected mainly by the discharge of Rosetta branch of the River: The bottom
of the eastern past of the bay is of a muddy nature due to the large quantities of
mud discharged annually through the Rosetta branch (2 to 5 x 10 9 m3) (Academy
of Scientific Research and Technology, ASRT, 1984). Abu-Qir Bay is exposed
to industrial and agricultural waste, discharged through El-Tabia outfall, Maadia
outlet and the Rosetta branch of the Nile River.
Several studies have dealt with heavy metal distribution in Abu-Qir Bay,
(e.g. ASRT, 1984; Saad et al., 1981; Toma et al., 1981; and Emara, 1983).
Distributions of DDT, Alpha Benzene Hexachloride (α – BHC ), Lindane and
bottom sediment are also studied (ASRT, 1984). Geographic information system
analysis for sediments, heavy metals and pesticides in Abu-Qir Bay have been
carried out by Nasr et. al. 1997.
Water quality of Egyptian Mediterranean coastal water including Abu-Qir
Bay have been done by Haslund et. al. 1999 and El-Iskandarani et. al. 2003.
Sources and types of pollution in Abu-Qir Bay are summarized in Table
(1).
Table 1. Sources of various pollutant in Abu-Qir Bay:
Source
Types of pollution, (ASRT, 1984
Rate of Discharge
and Said, 1989)
El-Tabia Outfall
Food processing and canning, 1.5-2 million m3/day,
paper industry, fertilizers industry
(ASRT, 1984)
and textiles manufacturing.
Maadia outlet of
Idku Lagoon
Drainage water from agricultural 1.5-2 million m3/day,
usually contains pesticides.
(WAHBY and ElDEEB, 1983)
Rosetta branch of
Fresh water discharged carries
2-5 x 109 m3/year,
the River Nile
agricultural waste from cultivated
(El-HEHYAWI,
lands.
1984)
Materials and Methods
- Basic parameters: These include depth and vertical profile of salinity,
specific conductivity, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) and
water transparency (Secci disc). CTD (YSI) was used for measuring the
physical parameters.
- Bacteriological parameters (total coliform, faecal coliform and faecal
streptococci). Special rode with glass carrier has been used for collection of
samples.
Eutrophication parameters: These include total suspended matter (SPM),
nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, silicate and
chlorophyll-a.
Inflatable rubber boat (Zodiac) with engine 30 horse, and Rotteners bottle
were used for collection of water sample for the different cruises. 4 WD car with
trailer for the rubber boat and a laboratory van equipped with filtration system
and the required equipment for the performing the field analysis were used to
execute the field work.
Basic Parameters
Conductivity, Salinity, pH, depth, water temperature and Dissolved oxygen
were Measured using 600XL Multi-parameter water Quality Monitor (CTD)
YSI incorporated. The data stored in the field in YSI 610 microcomputer (Data
logger) and transferred to the laboratory computer using powerful software
(PC6000).
Bacteriological Parameters
Sampling techniques, preparation, handling and preservation of marine
water sample were done according to the guidance described in the International
Organization for standardization (ISO) No. 5667/9 (1992). Detection and
enumeration of coliform organisms and presumptive E. coli were done using
method and
media described
in
the International
Organization
for
Standardization (ISO) No. 9308-1 (1990) whereas feacal streptococci bacteria
were detected and enumerated according to International
Standardization (ISO) No. 7899/2 (1984).
Organization for
Eutrophication Parameters
Six stations were selected to represent Abu-Qir Bay (Figure 1). Water
samples were collected at depth of about 2.5 m from the surface. The samples
were filtered through filter paper (GF/C). The dissolved inorganic nutrient salts
(including nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate and silicate) were analyzed
spectro-photometrically or by using Alpakam auto analyzer for NO2, NO3, P,
and Si.
The determination of nitrite (NO2) was carried out according to Grasshoff
(1983a). The determination of nitrate (NO3) was carried out according to
Grasshoff (1983b). Total method used for determination of total nitrogen and
total phosphorous was performed according to Valderrama (1981). The method
used for determination of ammonia was conducted according to Koroleff
(1983a). The method used for determination of reactive phosphate was carried
out according to Koroleff (1983b). Determination of reactive silicate was
performed according to the method described by Koroleff (1983). Chlorophyll-a
extraction and measurement was performed according to Strickland and
parasons (1972). Suspended particulate matter was measured according to the
method described by van loon (1982).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Bacteriological investigation for pathogenic bacteria (Total coliforms, E.
coli and feacal Streptococci) in Abu-Qir Bay during the last five years (1998 –
2002) revealed the following:
The sites especially in form of outlets like Maadia, Rosetta and outfalls
were contaminated by feacal pollution indicators bacteria with counts exceeded
the acceptable numbers adopted by the European
Communities standards
(ECS). In general Idku (Site Me 26) did not exceed the permissible numbers
during most of monitoring campaigns.
Feacal contamination found in Abu-Qir Bay is due to discharge of untreated
Sewage water in the bay.
Discharging the wastewater into the sea consider a potential reservoir of
risk to public health through direct infection to swimmers and / or eating
contaminated sea-food.
Monitoring of physical parameters during 1998 revealed that salinity was
low in front of fresh water outlets like Media (Me 25) and Rashid (Me31)-With
respect to pH values, slightly alkaline values were recorded for Abu-Qir Bay.
Low values of dissolved oxygen were observed sometimes in the Bay.
Relatively higher water temperature was observed most of the time in front
of Electrical Power Station of Abu-Qir Bay (Me 23). This is due to cooling
water of power station discharged into the bay. This phenomenon was continued
during the investigation years (from 1998 – 2002).
In 1999, relatively wide variation of temperature values were recorded in
May at Rashid. The higher DO values were detected in surface water of the
Maadia (Me 25) during May. This is due to the high rate of mixing and presence
of strong surface currents. Sometimes is due to the presence of high amount of
phytoplankton causing photosynthesis which lead to increase of DO. While the
lower DO values were recorded during 1999 in the deep water of Abu-Qir Bay
at stations Me 21, Me 23 and Me 25. This could be attributed to the discharge of
untreated wastewater into the bay through Maadia outlet, Tabia outfall plus
cooling water from the Electrical Power Station.
The lower salinities were observed in front of Electrical Powers Station
(Me 23), Maadia (Me 25) and Rashid (Me 29) during the campaigns of the year
1999.
With respect to transparency, Maadia was one of the most turbid stations
during the year 1999.
The investigation of sea water temperature during year 2000 revealed
thermal pollution was detected in Abu-Qir Bay in front of Electrical Power
Station (Me 23) especially in summer and autumn seasons. Relatively lower
salinity values were observed at Rashid (Me 29, 31).
Investigation of dissolved oxygen (DO) during year 2000 in Abu-Qir Bay
revealed that, two cases of DO deficiency have been detected, the first one was
below the Egyptian guideline (4 mg/l) and the second was hypoxia (> 3 mg/l).
Deficiency of DO (> 4 mg/l) has been detected during May 2000 at Abu-Qir
Bay (Me 21, 23 and 25). Also during July 2000 at eastern of Abu-Qir city (Me
21) and finally during November at Maadia. Hypoxia (< 3 mg/l DO) has been
detected in bottom water of Maadia during May 2000 and during Sept.2000 at
Electrical Power Station (Me 23) and Maadia Me 25), and finally during
November at eastern Abu-Qair City (Me 21) and Electrical Power Station (Me
23). With respect to transparency, the most turbid station was Maadia (Me 25)
as the year 1999.
Abu-Qir Bay was considered as one of the sites which has relatively higher
average values of sea water temperature through out of the year 2001. In
particular, Electrical Power Station (Me 23) is one of the most important hot
spot of thermal pollution overall the Egyptian Mediterrances coast. Relatively,
lower salinity values was observed as usual in front of outlets like Maadia (Me
25) and River Nile like Rashid (Me 29, 31) during the year 2001. It is worthy to
mention that the River Nile did not contribute to decrease salinity in front of
Rashid (Me 29, 31) during March and May 2001. This is due to the change of
seawater current to be from sea towards Rashid estuary.
Hypoxia was recorded during 2001 in Abu Qir Bay at eastern Abu-Qir City
(Me 21) Electrical Power Station (Me 23) and Maadia (Me 25). In 2002 all the
detected pH values were slightly alkaline and their variation were within the
normal range of seawater. The investigation of seawater salinity during 2002
revealed that the lower salinity values were detected at Electrical Power Station
(Me 23), El-Maadia (Me 25) and Rashid (Me 29, 31).
With respect to DO, hypoxia has been detected during May 2002 at eastern
Abu-Qir city (Me 21). Moreover, during Sept. 2002, hypoxia and water
stratification have been detected in deep water of El-Maadia (Me 25). This is
due to receiving polluted water from Maadia outlet. As usual, Maadia was the
most turbid station along Abu-Qir Bay during 2002.
Moritoring of eutrophication parameters i.e. nitrite, nitrate, ammonia,
phosphorous, silica, chlorophyll-a and SPM at Abu Qir during 1998 revealed
high levels at eastern Abu Qir City (Me 21), Electrical Power Station (Me 23),
El-Maadia outlet (Me 25) and Rashid (the 29 and 31). Those high levels were
due to discharge of untreated wastewater into Abu-Qir Bay (Haslund et. al.,
1999; El-Iskandarani et. al., 2003). With respect to eutrophication parameters,
improvement in water quality has been noticed at Abu-Qir Bay during 1999 if
compared with 1998.
During year 2000, the regional and bimonthly variations of nitrate and
nitrite along Abu-Qir Bay showed relatively low levels during the whole period
of investigation except in Sept. at Electrical Power Station where the nitrite was
relatively high.
Ammonia showed relatively less levels compared to the year 1999. High
level of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were estimated at Abu-Qir Bay (Me
20, 21 and 23). It were reached to half of total nitrogen in July 2000. This may
be due to the impact of discharge of domestic, industrial and agricultural runoff
into the bay. Normal levels were observed for phosphate, silicate, SPM and
chlorophyll-a during 2000 (Haslund et. al., 1999; El-Iskandarani et. al. 2003).
In the year 2001, relatively low levels of nitrate and nitrite were recorded at
Abu-Qir Bay, while high concentration of total nitrogen was observed at eastern
Abu-Qir City (Me 21). This is due to the impact of discharge of untreated
wastewater into the bay. Moreover, normal levels of reactive phosphate and
dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were recorded at Abu-Qir Bay during 2001.
Relatively, high levels of chlorophyll-a and suspended matter were
observed in front of outlets like El-Maadia (Me 25) and Rashid estuary (Me 31).
During 2002, Maadia (Me 25) and Rashid (Me 31) were characterized by
increasing primary production (relatively high levels of chlorophyll-a). This may
be related to the influence of drainage water brought by the River Nile or
industrial wastewater like Electrical Power Station or mix of industrial and
agricultural wastewater like Maadia (Me (25).
The results of nitrite showed low levels during the whole period of
investigation. High concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were
recorded at Electrical Power Station and Maadia during 2002. Moreover
relatively high silicate was observed at Maadia (Me 25) and Rashid (Me 29 and
31).
In general gradual improvement for water quality of Abu-Qir Bay have
been noticed during the period of the investigation (1998-2002). Continuous
surveillance and enforcement of the Egyptian environmental law No. 4/94 are
the main reasons for this improvement.
Acknowledgement:
The authors highly acknowledge and deeply appreciate the technical and
financial supports of EEAA, DANIDA and SMART project for completion of
the present investigation.
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