Chromium geochemistry in coastal environment of the Western Harbour,Egypt: water column,suspended matter and sediments

The distribution of Cr between water, total suspended matter (TSM) and sediments in the maine harbour in Egypt (Western Harbour), has been studied in two surveys. Dissolved Cr displayed a negative association with salinity, indicating land sources outlets as a major source of inputs for it. The Harbour presents higher Cr concentrations in dissolved form above the background (0.17 μg/L) concentration for total dissolved Cr. The most important factors controlling the distribution of particulate Cr in the Western Harbour are the depositional from several activities inside the Harbour, as well as different charges from several landbased sources along its southern edge. Chromium was associated in decreasing amount in the: residual >oxidizable-organic >acid reducible >exchangeable fractions of the analyzed sediments. Therefore, the results indicate that Cr in sediments from W.H is not available for exchange and/or release into the marine environment.