Southern Jordan Coastal Sediments Quality Assessment at Aqaba Special Economic Zone/Red Sea

Abstract

The bottom surface sediments at the southern part of the Jordanian coast of the Gulf of Aqaba have been studied. Samples were collected from 10 m depth at nine coastal stations which are located within two main zones: Marine Park Zone and Industrial Zone. Sedimentation rate, grain size oxygenation state, Loss on Ignition, hydrogen sulfide, calcium carbonate, total phosphorous, organic carbon, organic nitrogen, and heavy metals were analyzed to assess and evaluate the quality of bottom surface sediments. The sedimentation rate at the southern part of the Gulf has been affected by Khamassin winds from the south as a result of sand storm events in southern Jordan and adjacent regions. Floods and streams also played a vital role as a transportation agent of the sediments from the interstitial nearby areas to the Gulf. Also construction works played a minor role. Bottom surface sediments at the different sites were quite different in some chemical properties. Sediments from all stations other than the MSS were fine, gray-black and oxygen deficient. Sediments from the MSS and VC are whitish, better oxygenated and have higher calcium carbonate content since they are typically coral reef sediments coral reef sediments. Coral reef carbonate sediments are well known to have high organic nitrogen concentration as compared to silicate sediments, even those in close proximity. The concentration of phosphorous and calcium carbonate is attributed in the phosphate port to the phosphate by the generation of the dust and coral reef. Whilst, heavy metal concentration due to presence of major sources of metal pollution and intensive human activities. These include ship boat activities, domestic sewage discharges and phosphate rock particles from the phosphate port.