Variations in Mineral Ion Composition of Soil and Some Halophytes in the Mediterranean Coastal North of Egypt

in the Mediterranean Coastal North of Egypt Hediat M.H. Salama and Akram A.H. Ali Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. Salt marshes are widely distributed in the north western part of Egypt with their own distinct vegetation. Of these Zygophyllum album, Suaeda pruinosa, Arthrocnemum glaucum, Halocnemum strobilaceum (succulent halophytes) and Limoniastrum monopetalum (non succulent halophyte) are characteristic of two sites; Burg El-Arab and Matruh of Mediterranean Coastal salt marshes north Western of Egypt. Soil and plant samples were collected during April 1999. Soil concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu and P in the two habitats and the variation of these elements from five plant communities were determined. The ions of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu and P concentrations were higher in soil samples of Matruh habitat than that found in Burg El-Arab habitat, Mg is the major cation followed by Ca in the two habitats. Accumulation of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu and P is greater in the green parts (either of leaves or stems) than in the normal stems of the plants in the two habitats, while the dry matter was higher in stems than the green parts (leaves or stems). Members of the Chenopods contain much higher sodium and chloride than Zygophyllum growing in the two habitats. Lower calcium and magnesium was observed in Arthrocnemum and Halocnemum than in Zygophyllum in the two habitats.