Spatial distribution and potential risk assessment of heavy metals in sediment along Alexandria Coast, Mediterranean Sea, Egypt

Abstract

The spatial distribution and total concentration of eight heavy metals in seven sediment samples were determined seasonally during autumn 2014 to summer 2015 along Alexandria Coast, Mediterranean Sea. The abundance of these metals were found in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd, giving the average concentrations of 14.85 ± 2.02 mg/g, 143.90 ± 22.44, 46.47 ± 12.67, 33.18 ± 5.59, 32.55 ± 6.49, 27.00 ± 12.67, 23.81 ± 3.66 and 0.29 ± 0.07 μg/g respectively. Assessment of sediment contaminations were determined by the Enrichment (EF) and Contamination Factor (CF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Potential Ecological Risk (PER) indices for each metal and their integrated risk indices. Mn, Cr and Fe showed no contamination in the studied sites, while Zn, Cu, Cd and Ni were fluctuated between minor to moderately contamination, whereas lead alternated from moderately to high contamination. Pollution Load Index and integrated potential ecological risk indicated that Abu-Qir area is the most contaminated station in the current study, as compared to other locations.

Keywords

• Sediment
• Heavy metals
• Mediterranean Sea
• Risk assessment