METALS CONCENTRATION OF RECENT INVERTEBRATES
ALONG THE RED SEA COAST OF EGYPT: A TOOL FOR
MONITORING ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
ABBAS M. MANSOUR, 1AHMED H.
NAWAR, AND 1HASHEM A. MADKOUR
Geology Department ,Faculty of Sciences,South Valley University 83523
Qena,Egypt; 1National Institute Oceanography and Fisheries, Red Sea Branch ,Hurghada, Egypt |
Concentrations of Fe. Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni,Co and Cd were measured in several specimens of recent benthic foraminifera, coral reefs and mollusca from harbors of Quseir, Safaga, Hurghada and El-Esh areas of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. The selected areas are virtually influenced by anthropogenic activities. Foraminiferal tests recorded high concentrations of heavy metals relative to coral reefs and molluscan shells. Forarniniferal tests show high concentrations of Fe and Mn especially in Quseir and Safaga harbors. Black tests of porcelaneous foraminifera support this result and reflect selectivity for iron. Deformation in the apertures of foraminiferal tests observed in samples of Safaga and Quseir harbors reflects pollution and risks on marine life. Cd and Pb concentrations in molluscan shells and coral reefs have high values in Hurghada harbor and El Esh area because of the raised oil pollution in these sites. Cu, Zn and Ni concentrations in the studied invertebrates are high in Quseir harbor and El Esh area because of the strong influence of terrigenous materials rich with these metals. Studying the concentration of heavy metals in some recent invertebrates may serve as a tool for monitoring environmental hazards. Such information may be necessary to share with pollution programme for monitoring in the Egyptian Red Sea coast.
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