Evaluation of Physicochemical Characteristics of Aquatic Environment for Mangrove Communities on the Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University

2 Aquatic Ecology Department, Faculty of Fish and Fisheries Technology, Aswan University

3 National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries Red Sea Branch, Hurghada, Egypt

Abstract

Mangroves play an important role in reducing global warming and improving coastal and marine ecosystems. This research assessed the aquatic environment quality in some mangrove communities along Egyptian Red Sea coast compared to no-mangrove areas. In autumn 2021,the study was conducted in four regions: Safaga, Kalwaye, El-Quih, and Wadi El-Quih. The physicochemical parameters of the collected water samples were measured. The results showed that the levels of pH, temperature, turbidity, electric conductivity, salinity, NO2, and PO4 were all within the permissible limits of natural environment and mariculture according to CCME and MMWQS guidelines. They ranged between (7.57 – 8.60) ,(26.32 – 26.63 oC ),(0.31 – 3.20 NTU), (54.98 – 62.54 ms/cm ),(36.41 – 42.09 ppt) , ( 0.90 – 3.65 µg/L ), and (0.12 – 14. 33 µg/L), respectively. Nitrate levels in all locations' water samples were above the permissible limits, which ranged from 67.17 to 83 µg/L. Dissolved oxygen levels were above 5 mg/L in most areas, while in the El-Quih region, it decreased to a value between 2 and 4.35mg/L. Generally, the results indicated that the aquatic environment of mangrove communities in the El-Quih area possesses the lowest water quality compared to other study areas. This is attributed to the low levels of dissolved oxygen and high concentrations of nitrates, salinity, turbidity, and nitrites. The present study highlights the necessity of applying integrated environmental management (IEM) to mangrove communities in El-Quih area  and other areas to support the achievement of sustainable development goals in the Red Sea area.

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