Heavy Metals Contamination in Sediments of the Western Part of Egyptian Mediterranean Sea

Concentrations of eight heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in surface sediment from El-Sallum to Sidi-Kreer along western part of Egyptian Mediterranean Coast were determined to evaluate their levels and spatial distribution. The ranges of the measured concentrations in the sediments are as follows: 0.524-0.924 μg/g for Cd, 16.248-34.164 μg/g for Cr, 26.529-33.332 μg/g for Cu, 846.426-1433.933 μg/g for Fe, 32.371-108.915 μg/g for Mn, 31.703-43.592 μg/g for Ni, 20.672-35.624 μg/g for Pb, and 26.267-112.73 μg/g dry weights for Zn. There are no significant correlations among most of these metals, indicating they have different anthropogenic and natural sources. To assess metal concentrations in sediment, Numerical Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) were applied. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn in all sediment samples are lower than the proposed TECs indicated that there are no harmful effects from these metals. On the other hand, concentration of Ni exceeded TEC in all samples while Cu was exceeded the T EC at El-Sallum and Sidi-Barrani indicated that these stations were in potential risk. The metal contamination in the sediments was evaluated by applying Index of geo-accumulation and contamination factor.