Macro-benthic invertebrates as a bio-indicator for water and sediment quality in Suez Bay, Red Sea

Abstract

Macro-benthic invertebrates were collected from Suez Bay from March to June 2018. Thirty seven species represented by (61,636 individuals/m2) were recorded. These Macro-benthic invertebrates belonging to four phyla namely: polychaetes (15 species and 25,538 individuals/m2); molluscs (14 species and 16,384 individuals/m2); crustaceans (7 species and 19,709 individuals/m2) and echinoderms (1 species and 5 individuals/m2). PH, water temperature; dissolved oxygen and salinity were measured in selected stations. The heavy metals Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in water and sediments were determined, as well as, other nutrients (NO2; NO3; NH4 and PO4). Heavy metals' concentration of the surface water were organized according to the following sequence, Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd > Mn. While, the order of metal concentrations in the Suez Bay sediment were Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Pb > Cu > Cd. Keywords: Macro-benthic invertebrates, Community structures, Heavy metals, Nutrients, Suez Bay, Red Sea