A group of Russian scientists from the Neutron Physics Laboratory of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FLNP JINR) in Dubna, together with their Egyptian colleagues, studied the composition of bottom sediments in the coastal waters of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Excessive amounts of copper, nickel, arsenic, zinc, lead and other heavy metals were detected in some areas, JINR reported to socialbites.ca.
Experts examined 131 samples using the neutron activation analysis (NAA) method in the IBR-2 reactor at JINR as well as on a mass spectrometer. Experts identified samples containing high levels of pollutants and then linked them to areas of active shipping, fishing and industrial activity.
According to Wael Badawi, head of the Egyptian national group at JINR, the environmentally problematic areas were the shores along Lake Manzala and the western bank at the outlet of Lake Burullus, as well as the mouth of the Nile. Ras al-Bar and Abu Qir Bay in the Mediterranean Sea. In the Red Sea, the highest concentrations of heavy metals and toxins were found in Sharam al-Bahari in the middle of the coast and in the southern part of Mars Khemira.
“Although metals occur naturally in marine sediments, it is important to distinguish background concentrations from pollution caused by anthropogenic sources. Where we observe extreme metal concentrations, the main pollutants are likely to be municipal waste discharges, phosphate mining and transportation, oil production, fishing and shipping. Expert, Gazeta. Enrichment with metals in other places is within normal limits, but regular monitoring would not harm confirming the environmental situation, he told Ru.
The examination of the sites was the second phase of a joint project that began in 2011 to examine the environmental situation in Egypt. Scientists noted that despite local excesses, Egypt’s Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts are quite clean.
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