Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:44
Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
Trace Metal Enrichment and Radiological Risk in Coastal Sediments: Implications for Ecological and Human Health
El Saeed R Lasheen1, Tamader Alhazani2, Gehad M Saleh3
1Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
Toxics
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Heavy metal pollution in Ras Mohamed coastal sediments is present but poses low ecological risk. Radiological assessments confirm the area is secure with no significant radiation or human health risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Marine Geochemistry
- Radiological Science
Background:
- Coastal zones face increasing trace element enrichment from anthropogenic and natural sources.
- The Ras Mohamed area in the Red Sea is a popular tourist destination, necessitating environmental monitoring.
- Understanding heavy metal and radionuclide levels is crucial for assessing ecological and human health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess heavy metal pollution and radiological risks in coastal sediments of Ras Mohamed, South Sinai.
- To evaluate environmental contamination and ecological hazards posed by trace elements.
- To determine potential human health risks from heavy metals and radiation exposure.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nine trace metals and three naturally occurring radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) in 15 surface sediment samples.
- Utilized Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and gamma spectrometry.
- Calculated pollution load index, Geo-Accumulation Index, and ecological risk indicators.
Main Results:
- Concentration sequence: Fe > Ba > V > Cr > Zn > Co > Ni > Cu > Pb.
- Average Cr, V, and Co levels exceeded Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines and global background values.
- Pollution Load Index (2.16) indicated contamination; Geo-Accumulation Index showed low to moderate pollution.
- Ecological risk and toxicity indicators suggested low to moderate biological effects (PERI = 87.21).
- Human exposure assessments indicated no significant non-carcinogenic risk (HI < 1) and acceptable cancer risk.
- All radionuclide activities were below international safety limits, posing no significant radiation risk.
Conclusions:
- While tourism and sediment transport contribute to elevated metal levels, the Ras Mohamed coastal area is radiologically safe.
- Current heavy metal pollution presents a low to moderate ecological risk.
- Human health risks from both heavy metals and radiation are negligible in the studied region.
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