Assessment of heavy metal pollutants at various sites along the Jordanian coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

ABSTRACT

This research investigated the levels of 16 trace and heavy elements in seawater for the first time in the northern Gulf of Aqaba. The concentrations of four selected sites along the Jordanian coast. The elements were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Observed concentrations of Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn in seawater were higher than the threshold levels that were recommended by the Australian Water Quality Guidelines. The levels of As and Se in seawater were also higher than previously reported values from Arab seas. Moreover, it could be concluded that the Gulf of Aqaba (Jordanian coast) is highly contaminated by Ni, due to seawater concentrations exceeding both Australian and US EPA guidelines. Based on the results of this study, additional investigations are necessary to determine the anthropogenic activities that may cause this pollution. The determination of elemental concentrations in biota and sediment is also highly recommended for the Jordanian coast. This study and future studies will be useful for assessment and monitoring of marine pollution in the Gulf of Aqaba.

KEYWORDS:

• Seawater
• pollution
• heavy metals
• Gulf of Aqaba
• ICP-MS
• Jordan

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank technicians at Marine Science Station for their help in sampling. Also, special appreciation to technicians at Chemical and Physical Analyses Laboratories (Nuclear Fuel Cycle), Jordan Atomic Energy Commission for their help in chemical analyses. Many thanks due to Dr L. Kellie Dixon from Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida for her help and support. This work was written while a Sabbatical Fellow from The University of Jordan/Aqaba Branch to Riyad Manasrah at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida USA. A Fulbright scholarship was also awarded to Riyad Manasrah during this period.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.