Trace Metal Behavior in Mediterranean-Climate Coastal Bay: El-mex Bay, Egypt and its Coastal Environment

The distribution of heavy metals in El-Mex Bay located in Northern Egypt was studied. Eight metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn and Fe) were determined in water, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and sediments. The Bay presents higher metal concentrations in aqueous Cd, Co and Pb are above the chronic freshwater quality criteria for aquatic life. Most of the dissolved trace metals displayed a negative association with salinity, indicating Omoum Drain as a source of inputs for them. In the Bay water, Fe, Mn and Zn are the most abundant elements in suspended particulate matter whereas Co the less abundant. El-Mex Bay exhibited relatively lower concentrations of all the examined metals in sediments, comparing with other regions in the world. The distribution coefficient, Kd, of Zn, Cd, Mn and Cu decreased with SPM, consistent with the so-called ‘‘particle concentration effect’’. Significant inter-relationships existed between the concentrations of certain metals in SPM, suggesting similar sources for and/or similar geochemical processes controlling such metals.