Report of Environmental Data from Coastal Areas of the Gulf of Suez,
Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba in March 2000
Introduction
The aim of the Coastal Water Monitoring Program (CWMP) is to establish a marine
monitoring system in the Egyptian coastal waters. The CWMP is part of the EIMP, which is
directed by a Steering Committee with representatives from the EEAA and Danish International
Development Assistance (Danida).
The monitoring is carried out six times a year on a bimonthly basis on a total of 39
stations in the Gulf of Suez (13), Red Sea (15) and Gulf of Aqaba (11). The data presented in this
report is from the first campaign carried out in March 2000. On each sampling campaign the
following parameters are measured; visual observations (weather condition, oil pollution, and
sewage impact…etc), hydrogrphical conditions (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity
and pH), bacteriological parameters (total coliform, E. coli and Faecal streptococci bacteria).
Furthermore, the following eutrophication parameters (chlorophyll-a, total suspended matter,
transparency, total nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, reactive and total phosphate and reactive
silicate). All methods are carried out according international standards.
Visual observation
The visual observation on the beach revered, lumps of old tar in moderate quantities at
Ras Gharib City (Su7) and in heavy quantities at Ras Sudr (Su10), whereas their coastal water
were almost clean. Oil film was observed on the surface water of Suez (Su3) and Sharm El
Sheikh Na-ama bay (Aq3) and in moderate quantities at the surface of Sharm El Sheikh Harbour
(Aq2). Old tars and oil contamination was restricted to the beach area of petroleum companies
and /or harbour areas. Sewage and its related conditions was found in little magnitude at Suez
(Su1), Coral reef –Island Gezr.Gift (Re5), Quseir Middle (Re12) and Bir Shalatin (Re15).
Hydrographical conditions
The geographical as well as vertical distribution pattern of different hydrographical
parameters obtained during March 2000 showed minor variations. Generally, no pronounced
variations were found in the horizontal as well as vertical distribution pattern of dissolved
oxygen contents in the coastal water in the different investigated regions. The main picture is
high and well-oxygenated water column with a tendency towards a slight decrease in oxygen
content with increasing depth. The effect of land based sources and/or human activities on
the level of different hydrographical conditions are still insignificant. Figure1 showed
dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Red Sea Regions in March 2000.
1
12
11
Gulf of Suez
Red Sea proper
Gulf of Aqaba
10
9
8
7
Figure 1.
AQ11
AQ9
AQ7
AQ5
AQ3
AQ1
RE14
RE12
RE10
RE8
RE6
RE4
RE2
SU13
SU11
SU9
SU7
SU5
SU3
6
SU1
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/l
Dissolved Oxygen concentrations in the Red S ea Regions in March
2000
Dissolved Oxygen concentrations (mg/l) in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper
and Gulf of Aqaba in March 2000
Bacteriological Parameters
The occurrence of pollution indicator bacteria is used as sanitary parameters for
evaluation of water quality. By using the Egyptian Guidelines, which accept the guide values of
investigated bacteria by 500 bacterial counts/100ml sea water for coliform bacteria and 100
bacterial count /100ml sea water for E. coli and Faecal streptococci.
In general, most of the investigated areas have relative few bacteria, however only eleven
stations were found to exceed the acceptable limit in March 2000, while in January 2000 we have
only four stations. These stations are Suez (Su1b & Su1c), El-Ataka Harbour (Su3), Ain Sukhna
South (Su6), Ras Gharab (Su7), Ras Shkheir (Su9), Hurghada-hotel Sheraton (Re4), Quseir-North
(Re11), Bir Shalatin (Re 15) and Marina Sharm (Aq2a) and Taba (Aq11).
2

Suez, Rex (Sub1b) which may affected by the fishing harbour and possible sewage outlets
in the area.
 Suez, Kabanoon beach (Su1c) which affected by the kabanoon drain (slaughter - house
discharge) situated Just north the beach (the sampling site).

El-Ataka harbor (Su3) exceeded the acceptable level of the three indicator bacteria
similar to that in the last campaign. This may be due to the increasing numbers of ships in the
harbor, and/or sewage outlets in the area.
 Ain Sukhna resort (Su6) may be affected by visitors to Ain Sukhna area.
 Ras Gharib City (Su7) the numbers of investigated bacteria was very high similar to levels
found throughout the year 1999 and also in January 2000.
 Ain Sukhna resort, Ras Shukhier, petrol company GABCO (Su9) may affected by activity
of some GABCO ships anchored closed to small maritime platform where the sample was
taken.
 In Hurghada - Sheraton Hotel (Re4) and Qusier, Movenpik resort (Re11) was affected by
the high numbers of tourists/ visitors and summers.
 Bir Shalatin (Re15) the numbers of investigated bacteria was very high, as seen in June
1999 and January 2000. This may be due to fishing activity.

Marina Sharm (Aq2a) were high number of Faecal streptococci recorded like those found
previously in October and April 1999 and January 2000. These findings may be explained by
the large number of boats used for tourist/recreational activities anchored in the area.
 However in Taba (Aq11) the sample was taken in the south of Sunesta Hotel and near to
Elat city, which. May explain the observed bacterial pollution in this area.
Bacterial count in the Red Sea Region
in March 2000
Red Sea proper
coliform
Gulf of Aqaba
E. Coli
Faecal St.
RE11
Gulf of Suez
100000
RE7
Bacterial count / 100ml
1000000
10000
1000
100
10
Figure 2.
Bacterial counts per 100 ml Sea water in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and
Gulf of Aqaba, (logarithmic scale!) in January 2000.
3
AQ11
AQ9
AQ7
AQ5
AQ3
AQ2-A
RE15
RE13
RE9
RE5
RE3-B
RE2
SU13
SU11
SU9
SU7
SU5
SU3
SU1-c
SU1-a
1
Eutrophication parameters
Chlorophyll-a
Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the coastal waters of Gulf of Suez showed increased
values in the northern part including stations at (Su1-3) in comparison to the rest of the Gulf. The
high levels of autotrophic biomass recorded in the upper part of Gulf of Suez may be explained
by wastewater discharged to the area, providing nutrients favorable for the growth of
phytoplankton.
The levels of chlorophyll-a in the Red Sea proper are more or less homogenuous but
showed relatively increased values in the northern part of Gulf of Aqaba than its middle and
southern parts. Figure 3, represent chlorophyll-a concentration in the surface coastal water of
Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba Region in March 2000.
Figure 3.
AQ11
AQ9
AQ7
AQ5
AQ3
AQ1
RE14
Gulf of Aqaba
RE12
RE10
RE8
RE6
RE4
SU13
Red Sea proper
SU11
SU9
SU7
SU5
SU3
Gulf of Suez
RE2
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
SU1
Chlorophyll-a, ug/l
Chlorophyll-a concentration in the Red S ea Region
in March 2000
Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of
Aqaba in March 2000.
Total Suspended Matter (TSM)
The high values were recorded at stations (Su1, Su2 and Su3), this may be due to the
direct effect of land based sources and human impact on this stations. The relative increase in
TSM content in the surface coastal water of Ein El-Sukhna (Su4- Su5) and Ras Gharib city (Re7)
was associated with the turbulence in the water column due to strong wind action prevailed at
these locations. Relatively high TSM contents obtained at El-Goana Resort (Re1) was accompanied with
the increasing numbers of ships and human activities at this location. Meanwhile in Quseir North (Re11)
high TSM contents obtained may be due to the direct effect of many phosphate shipping activities from El-
Hamraween phosphate Harbour to the extent made the coastal water of this station turbid.
Unexpected high TSM contents found at the coastal water of Ras Mohammed (Aq1) could be
attributed to the debris of brown sea grasses and algae found in moderate quantities at this
position.
4
Total suspended matter concentration in the Red S ea Region in
March 2000
20
TSM, mg/l
Gulf of Suez
Red Sea proper
Gulf of Aqaba
15
10
5
Figure 4.
AQ11
AQ9
AQ7
AQ5
AQ3
AQ1
RE14
RE12
RE10
RE8
RE6
RE4
RE2
SU13
SU11
SU9
SU7
SU5
SU3
SU1
0
Total Suspended Matter concentrations in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and
Gulf of Aqaba in March 2000.
Transparency
Transparency values reached the whole depth of most stations of Gulf of Suez, Red Sea
proper and Gulf of Aqaba, except the upper part of Gulf of Suez. These may be due to the effect
of sewage discharge in the upper part of Gulf of Suez.
Ammonia
In Gulf of Suez, ammonia is found in relative high levels in the surface coastal water of
the upper part (Su2, Su2 & Su3) in comparison to the lower part of the Gulf of Suez. The levels
of ammonia were generally low in the Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba surface coastal waters.
There is a tendency towards increasing ammonia values at Safaga (Re8) in comparison to the
samples taken in January 2000. Ammonia that found in the surface coastal water of Gulf of
Aqaba was relatively very low. Figure 4, represent ammonia concentration in the surface coastal
water of Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba Regions in March 2000.
5
Ammonia concentrations in the Red S ea Region
in March 2000
3.5
Gulf of Suez
NH4-N, uM
3.0
Red Sea proper
Gulf of Aqaba
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
AQ11
AQ9
AQ7
AQ5
AQ3
AQ1
RE14
RE12
RE10
RE8
RE6
RE4
RE2
SU13
SU11
SU9
SU7
SU5
SU3
SU1
0.0
Ammonia concentrations (μmol/l NH4-N) in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea
proper and Gulf of Aqaba in March 2000.
Figure 4.
Nitrite + Nitrate
The general distribution pattern of nitrite + nitrate in the Gulf of Suez, show that the
upper part of the Gulf sustained relatively high nitrite + nitrate values. This area is an exception
to the Red Sea Region. In general the level of nitrate were relatively low at most stations of the
Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba. These levels made the northern side of the Gulf of Suez
classified under highly eutrophied region and reflect the principle role of untreated discharged
wastes in this area with different inorganic nitrogen forms. As for ammonia, there is a tendency of
increasing nitrite + nitrate values at Safaga (Re8) of the Red Sea proper. Figure 5, represent
Nitrite + Nitrate concentration in the surface coastal water of Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and
Gulf of Aqaba in March 2000.
Nitrite + Nitrate concentrations in the Red S ea Region
in March 2000
Nitrite + Nitrate
12
Gulf of Suez
Red Sea proper
Gulf of Aqaba
10
8
6
4
2
Figure 5.
Nitrite + Nitrate concentrations at different sites of the Gulf of Suez, Red
Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba in March 2000.
6
AQ11
AQ9
AQ7
AQ5
AQ3
AQ1
RE14
RE12
RE10
RE8
RE6
RE4
RE2
SU13
SU11
SU9
SU7
SU5
SU3
SU1
0
Reactive phosphate (PO4-P)
The level of reactive phosphate in the investigated regions revealed very low
concentrations or below the detection limit at most locations. Few exceptions of higher levels
were found at Ras Gharib (Su8), as in January 2000. This may be due to discharge of sewage at
the area including detergents and decomposition of organic matter, which is a general component
of urban sewage, may be important sources of reactive phosphate. Also high level was recorded
in El-Tur (Su13).
In the Red Sea proper, a relative increase in phosphorus was observed in the middle and
southern part as compared to its northern part of the region. The high levels of reactive phosphate
were recorded in the central part, which is characterised by increasing levels of phosphate
shipping activity, since this area includes Red Sea Abo Tartour and El-Hamrawein (Re10)
phosphate harbours. In Quseir (Re11), high level of phosphate may be due to hotel located in that
area. While in Bir El-Shalatin (Re15) this may be due to the increasing of human activity in the
fishing harbour of Bir El-Shalatin.
Higher phosphorus concentration than normal was obtained from the surface coastal
water of Mersa Muqibila (Aq10). Meanwhile, slight increase in reactive phosphate was also
detected in the surface coastal water of Taba City (Aq11), as in January 2000. This was
accompanied with high nitrate concentrations indicating possible sewage contamination.
Except these locations phosphorus concentrations were almost near depletion or below
the detection limit at most locations of the investigated regions. Figure 6, represent reactive
phosphate concentration in the surface coastal water of Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of
Aqaba region in March 2000.
Figure 6.
AQ11
AQ9
AQ7
AQ5
AQ3
AQ1
RE14
Gulf of Aqaba
RE12
RE10
RE8
RE6
RE4
SU13
SU11
Red Sea proper
SU9
SU7
SU5
SU3
Gulf of Suez
RE2
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
SU1
PO4-P, uM
Reactive phosphate concentrations in the Red S ea Region in March
2000
Reactive phosphate (μmol/l PO4 – P) concentrations at different sites of
the Gulf of Suez, Red sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba in March 2000.
7
Silicate (SiO4 – Si)
Silicate is a good indicator of fresh water dispersion and of the potential for diatom
blooms. Silicate content when compared with those of the previous data showed noticeable
changes in the Gulf of Suez and slight variations in the Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba.
S ilicate concentrations in the Red S ea Region in
March 2000
SiO4-Si, uM
6
Gulf of Suez
5
Red Sea proper
Gulf of Aqaba
4
3
2
1
Figure 7.
AQ11
AQ9
AQ7
AQ5
AQ3
AQ1
RE14
RE12
RE10
RE8
RE6
RE4
RE2
SU13
SU11
SU9
SU7
SU5
SU3
SU1
0
Silicate concentrations at different sites of the Gulf of Suez., Red Sea
proper and Gulf of Aqaba in March 2000.
Conclusion:
The northern part of the Gulf of Suez (Su1, Su2 and Su3) is in general heavily influenced
by wastewater discharge whereas the Red Sea region in general reveals low levels of the
measured parameters. However, few stations in the southern part of in the Red Sea proper still
reveal higher levels of reactive phosphate (Re10 to 13).
In the northern part of the Gulf of Suez the levels of nutrients like nitrate-nitrite,
ammonia and total-N are significantly higher in comparisons to the rest of the Gulf of Suez,
including also the Red Sea proper and the Gulf of Aqaba. The biological response to these high
levels of nutrients is found in the relative higher levels of phytoplankton biomass in the area
measured as chlorophyll-a. The high levels of total suspended matter and low levels of
transparency also support these findings in the vicinity of the city of Suez. The likely
explanations to these findings are the discharge of untreated or partly untreated waster water form
the city of Suez and the heavy maritime transportation in the area.
Bacterial contamination is found in several areas in both the Gulf of Suez and the Red
Sea proper. The affected areas are specifically; Su1b & c, Su3 and Su6, Su7 and Su9 in the Gulf
of Suez whereas the affected areas in the Red Sea proper are Re4, Re11 and Re15. In the Gulf of
Aqaba contamination is found specifically in Marina Sharm and Aq11 close to Taba.
8
Table 1 summarized the most important points for Red Sea Regions in March 2000.
Station
Su1
Su2
Su3
Su4
Su5
Su6
Su7
Su8
Su9
Su10
Su11
Su12
Su13
Re1
Re2
Re3
Re4
Re5
Re6
Re7
Re8
Re9
Re10
Re11
Re12
Re13
Re14
Re15
Aq1
Aq2a
Aq2b
Aq3
Aq4
Aq5
Aq6
Aq7
Aq8
Aq9
Aq10
Aq11
Name
Suez
Suez
Suez
Ain Sukhna
Ain Sukhna
Ain Sukhna
Ras Gharib
Ras Gharib
Ras Shukheir
Ras Sudr
Abu Zenima
Ras Budran
El Tur
Abu Shar Hurghada
Hurghada NIOF
Hurghada beach
Hurghada Sheraton
Gifton Island
Sahl Hashish
Safaga
Safaga
Safaga
El-Hamarawein
Quseir
Quseir
Quseir
Marsa Alam
Bir El-Shalatin
Sharm El-Sheikh Ras Mohamed
Sharm El-Sheikh Harbour
Sharm El-Sheikh Harbour
Sharm El-Sheikh Naeama bay
Nahlat Al Tel
Dahab
Ras Mamlah
Hibeiq-Ras Nabar
Nuweiba, El-Saidin
Nuweiba
Mersa Muqibila
Taba
Remarks
2, 3 , 6, 7
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
1, 2, 3 , 5, 6, 7
6
2, 6
1
4
7
2
5
4
1, 4
2
1, 5
4
4
Notes:
9
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Bacteria above acceptable level.
High Levels of chlorophyll-a
High levels of nitrate
High Levels of reactive phosphate
High levels of ammonia
High levels of total suspended matter
High level of Silicate
10