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Report of Environmental Data from Coastal Areas of the Gulf of Suez,
Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba in January 2000
Introduction
The aim of the Coastal Water Monitoring Program (CWMP) is to establish a marine
monitoring system in the Egyptian coastal waters. The CWMP is part of the EIMP, which is
directed by a Steering Committee with representatives from the EEAA and Danish International
Development Assistance (Danida).
The monitoring is carried on a bimonthly basis (6 times a year) on a total of 45 stations
on the Mediterranean Coast. The data presented in this report is from the first campaign carried
out in January 2000. On each sampling campaign the following parameters are measured; visual
observations (weather condition, oil pollution, and sewage impact…etc), hydrogrphical
conditions (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity and pH), bacteriological parameters
(total coliform, E. coli and Faecal streptococci bacteria). Furthermore, the following
eutrophication parameters (chlorophyll-a, total suspended matter, transparency, total nitrogen,
nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, reactive and total phosphate and reactive silicate). All methods are
carried out according international standards.
Visual observation
The visual observation on the beach revered, lumps of old tar in moderate quantities at
Ras Gharib City (Su7) and Ras Sudr (Su10), and in small quantities at the beach of Ras Gharib
Harbour (Su8) and El-Tur (Su13) from the Gulf of Suez, whereas their coastal water were almost
clean.
Moderate quantity of oil films was observed on the surface water between stations Suez
(Su1& Su2) and at Ras Shukheir (Su9). Old tars and oil contamination was restricted to the beach
area of petroleum companies and /or harbor areas.
Sewage and its related conditions was found in little magnitude at Suez (Su1), Ras
Gharib City (Su7), Ras Shukheir (Su9), Mersa Muqibila (Aq10) and Taba (Aq11), moderate to
heavy quantities at Suez (Su2 & Su3) and Ras Gharib Harbour (Su8) from the Gulf of Suez.
These conditions were accompanied with the increasing levels of sewage disposal at these
locations. Mersa Muqibila (Aq10) was located under the direct effect of currents derived
from the northern area of the Gulf of Aqaba which might be responsible of the presence of
slight amount of sewage at this area
Hydrographical conditions
The geographical as well as vertical distribution pattern of different hydrographical
parameters obtained during January 2000 showed normal values at different sites of the Gulf of
Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba coastal waters as compared wit the previous campaign
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in Novamber1999.
Dissolved oxygen levels indicate high and well-oxygenated water column with a
tendency towards a slight decrease in oxygen content with increasing depth. The effect of land
based sources and/or human activities on the level of different hydrographical conditions are still
insignificant. Figure1 showed Dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Red Sea Regions in
January 2000.
Dissolve d Oxyge n conce ntrations in the Re d Se a Re gion in
January 2000
9
Gulf of Suez Red Sea proper Gulf of Aqaba
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/l
9
8
8
7
7
6
AQ1
AQ3
AQ5
AQ7
AQ9
SU1
SU3
SU5
SU7
SU9
AQ11
SU11
SU13
RE2
RE4
RE6
RE8
RE10
RE12
RE14
Figure 1. Dissolved Oxygen concentrations (mg/l) in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper
and Gulf of Aqaba in January 2000
Bacteriological Parameters
The occurrence of pollution indicator bacteria is used as sanitary parameters for
evaluation of water quality. By using the Egyptian Guidelines, which accept the guide values of
investigated bacteria by 500 bacterial counts/100ml sea water for coliform bacteria and 100
bacterial count /100ml sea water for E. coli and Faecal streptococci.
In general, most of the investigated areas have relative few bacteria, however only four
stations out of 38 stations were found to exceed the acceptable limit. These stations are El-Ataka
Harbour (Su3), Ras Gharab (Su7), Bir Shalatin (Re 15) and Marina Sharm (Aq2a).
El-Ataka harbor (Su3) exceeded the acceptable level of the three indicator bacteria similar
to that in the last campaign. This may be due to the increasing numbers of ships in the harbor,
or sewage outlets in the area.
Ras Gharib City (Su7) the numbers of investigated bacteria was very high similar to levels
found throughout the year 1999.
Bir Shalatin (Re15) the numbers of investigated bacteria was very high, as seen in June
1999. This may be due to fishing activity.
Marina Sharm (Aq2a) were high number of Faecal streptococci recorded like those found
previously in October and April 1999. These findings may be explained by the large number
of boats used for tourist/recreational activities anchored in the area.
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Bacterial counts /100 ml in the Red Sea Region in January 2000
100000
Bacterial counts /100ml Gulf of suez Red Sea proper Gulf of Aqaba
10000
Coliform E. coli Faecal St.
1000
100
10
1
AQ2-a
SU1
SU3
SU5
SU7
SU9
AQ3
AQ5
AQ7
AQ9
SU11
SU13
AQ11
RE3-b
RE11
RE13
RE15
RE2
RE5
RE7
RE9
Figure 2. Bacterial counts per 100 ml Sea water in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and
Gulf of Aqaba, (logarithmic scale!) in January 2000.
Eutrophication parameters
Chlorophyll-a
Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the coastal waters of Gulf of Suez showed increased
values in the northern part including stations at (Su1-3) in comparison to the rest of the Gulf. The
high levels of autotrophic biomass recorded in the upper part of Gulf of Suez may be explained
by wastewater discharged to the area, providing nutrients favorable for the growth of
phytoplankton.
Three stations recorded high levels of Chlorophyll-a in comparison to values in 1999.
These station s are Ain Sukhna (Su5) in the Gulf of Suez, Safaga (Re7) in the Red Sea proper
and in Sharm El-Sheikh Ras Mohamed (Aq1) in the Gulf of Aqaba. Figure 3, represent
chlorophyll-a concentration in the surface coastal water of Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf
of Aqaba Region in January 2000.
2000
Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the Red Sea regions in January
1.40
Gulf of Suez Red Sea proper Guf of Aqaba
1.20
Chlorophyll-a u
1.00
0.80
g/l
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.00
SU10
SU13
AQ3
AQ6
AQ9
SU1
SU4
SU7
RE12
RE15
RE3
RE6
RE9
Figure 3. Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of
Aqaba in January 2000.
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Total Suspended Matter (TSM)
The high values were recorded at stations (Su1, Su2 and Su3), this may be due to the
direct effect of land based sources and human impact on this stations. The relative increase in
TSM content in the surface coastal water of Ein El-Sukhna (Su4- Su5) was associated with the
turbulence in the water column due to strong wind action prevailed at these locations.
Transparency
Transparency values reached the whole depth of most stations of Gulf of Suez Red Sea
proper and Gulf of Aqaba, except the upper part of Gulf of Suez. These may be due to the effect
of sewage discharge in the upper part of Gulf of Suez.
Ammonia
In Gulf of Suez, ammonia is found in relative high levels in the surface coastal water of
the upper part (Su2 & Su3) than in those in the lower part of the Gulf. The levels of ammonia
were generally low in the Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba surface coastal waters. There is a
tendency of increasing ammonia values at Safaga (Re8) of the Red Sea proper and in Sharm El-
Sheikh harbour (Aq2) from the Gulf of Aqaba. Figure 4, represent ammonia concentration in the
surface coastal water of Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba Regions in January
2000.
Ammonia conce ntrations in the Re d Se a Re gion in January2000
25
Gulf of Suez Red Sea proper Gulf of Aqaba
Ammonia uM NH4-N
20
15
10
5
0
AQ1
AQ3
AQ5
AQ7
AQ9
SU1
SU3
SU5
SU7
SU9
AQ11
SU11
SU13
RE2
RE4
RE6
RE8
RE10
RE12
RE14
Figure 4. Ammonia concentrations (μmol/l NH4-N) in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea
proper and Gulf of Aqaba in January 2000.
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Nitrite + Nitrate
The general distribution pattern of nitrite + nitrate in the Gulf of Suez, show that the
upper part of the Gulf sustained relatively high nitrite + nitrate values. This area is an exception
to the Red Sea Region. In general the level of nitrate were relatively low at most stations of the
Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba. These levels made the northern side of the Gulf of Suez
classified under highly eutrophied region and reflect the principle role of untreated discharged
wastes in this area with different inorganic nitrogen forms.
Figure 5, represent Nitrite + Nitrate concentration in the surface coastal water of Gulf of
Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba in January 2000.
Nitrite + Nitrate conce ntrations in the Re d Se a Re gion in
January 2000
25.00
Gulf of Suez Red Sea proper Gulf of Aqaba
Nitrite + Nitrate
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
AQ1
AQ3
AQ5
AQ7
AQ9
SU1
SU3
SU5
SU7
SU9
AQ11
SU11
SU13
RE2
RE4
RE6
RE8
RE10
RE12
RE14
Figure 5. Nitrite + Nitrate concentrations at different sites of the Gulf of Suez, Red
Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba in January 2000.
Reactive phosphate (PO4-P)
The level of reactive phosphate in the investigated regions revealed very low
concentrations or below the detection limit at most locations. Few exceptions of higher levels
were found at Suez (Su2), and to some extent at Abu Zenima (Su11). This may be due to
discharge of sewage at the area including detergents and decomposition of organic matter, which
is a general component of urban sewage, may be important sources of reactive phosphate.
In the Red Sea proper a relative increase in phosphorus was observed in the middle and
southern part as compared to its northern part of the region. The high levels of reactive phosphate
were recorded in Quseir (Re11) and Bir El-Shalatin (Re15). In Quseir (Re11) this may be due to
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hotel located in that area. While in Bir El-Shalatin (Re15) this may be due to the increasing of
human activity in the fishing harbour of Bir El-Shalatin.
Unexpected high phosphorus concentration was obtained from the surface coastal water
of Safaga (Aq7) was accompanied with the relative increase in ammonia, nitrite and nitrate
concentrations. Meanwhile, slight increase in reactive phosphate was also detected in the surface
coastal water of Taba City (Aq11). This was accompanied with high nitrate concentrations
indicating possible sewage contamination.
Except these locations phosphorus concentrations were almost near depletion or below
the detection limit at most locations of the investigated regions. Figure 6, represent reactive
phosphate concentration in the surface coastal water of Gulf of Suez, Red Sea proper and Gulf of
Aqaba region in January 2000.
Reactive phosphate concentrations in the Red Sea region in
January 2000
0.70
Gulf of Suez Red Sea proper Gulf of Aqaba
Reactive phosphate, uM Po 4-P
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
SU1
SU3
SU5
SU7
SU9
SU11
SU13
RE2
RE4
RE6
RE8
RE10
RE12
RE14
AQ1
AQ3
AQ5
AQ7
AQ9
AQ11
Figure 6. Reactive phosphate (μmol/l PO4 – P) concentrations at different sites of
the Gulf of Suez, Red sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba in January 2000.
Silicate (SiO4 – Si)
Silicate is a good indicator of fresh water dispersion and of the potential for diatom
blooms. Relatively increased values of silicate content was observed in the upper part of Gulf of
Suez were levels of nutrients in general are high. Also high value was recorded in Abu Budran
(Su12), as seen in figure7.
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Silicate concentrations in the Red S ea Region in January 2000
14
Gulf of Suez Red Sea proper Gulf of Aqaba
Silicate uM SiO 4-Si
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
AQ3
AQ6
AQ9
SU1
SU4
SU7
SU10
SU13
RE3
RE6
RE9
RE12
RE15
Figure 7. Silicate concentrations at different sites of the Gulf of Suez., Red Sea
proper and Gulf of Aqaba in January 2000.
Conclusion:
The northern part of the Gulf of Suez (Su1, Su2 and Su3) is in general heavily influenced
by wastewater discharge whereas the Red Sea region in general reveals low levels of the
measured parameters.
In the northern part of the Gulf of Suez the levels of nutrients like nitrate-nitrite,
ammonia and total-N are significantly higher in comparisons to the rest of the Gulf of Suez,
including also the Red Sea proper and the Gulf of Aqaba. The biological response to these high
levels of nutrients is found in the relative higher levels of phytoplankton biomass in the area
measured as chlorophyll-a. The high levels of total suspended matter and low levels of
transparency also support these findings in the vicinity of the city of Suez. The likely
explanations to these findings are the discharge of untreated or partly untreated waster water form
the city of Suez and the heavy maritime transportation in the area.
The same pattern is found in the bacteriological parameters, however here only Su3 near
city of Suez shows levels of bacteria above acceptable standards. The station at Ras Gharib, Su7
shows very high levels of the measured bacteria. The explanation to these finding is again the
discharge of untreated or only partly untreated waster water. In the Red Sea proper at Bir Shalatin
(Re15), high counts of bacteria were observed, whereas in the Gulf of Aqaba the only high counts
of bacteria were recorded in Marina Sharm (Aq2a).
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Table 1 summarized the most important points for Red Sea Regions in January 2000.
Station Name Remarks
Su1 Suez 2, 3 , 6, 7
Su2 Suez 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Su3 Suez 1, 2, 3 , 5, 6, 7
Su4 Ain Sukhna 6
Su5 Ain Sukhna 2, 6
Su6 Ain Sukhna
Su7 Ras Gharib 1
Su8 Ras Gharib
Su9 Ras Shukheir
Su10 Ras Sudr
Su11 Abu Zenima 4
Su12 Ras Budran 7
Su13 El Tur
Re1 Abu Shar Hurghada
Re2 Hurghada NIOF
Re3 Hurghada beach
Re4 Hurghada Sheraton
Re5 Gifton Island
Re6 Sahl Hashish
Re7 Safaga 2
Re8 Safaga 5
Re9 Safaga
Re10 El-Hamarawein
Re11 Quseir 4
Re12 Quseir
Re13 Quseir
Re14 Marsa Alam
Re15 Bir El-Shalatin 1, 4
Aq1 Sharm El-Sheikh Ras Mohamed 2
Aq2a Sharm El-Sheikh Harbour 1, 5
Aq2b Sharm El-Sheikh Harbour
Aq3 Sharm El-Sheikh Naeama bay
Aq4 Nahlat Al Tel
Aq5 Dahab
Aq6 Ras Mamlah
Aq7 Hibeiq-Ras Nabar 4
Aq8 Nuweiba, El-Saidin
Aq9 Nuweiba
Aq10 Mersa Muqibila
Aq11 Taba 4
Notes:
1. Bacteria above acceptable level.
2. High Levels of chlorophyll-a
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3. High levels of nitrate
4. High Levels of reactive phosphate
5. High levels of ammonia
6. High levels of total suspended matter
7. High level of Silicate
9
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