Chemical Characteristics of the Surface Water around Ras El-Bar Island, Damietta Governorate, Egypt‏

The present study represents an attempt to classify and evaluate the surface water quality around Ras El-Bar Island by investigating the surface water physical and chemical parameters near Damietta Branch Outlet, Damietta Port Canal and Mediterranean Sea. The measured pH values show a tendency towards alkaline side aquatic system. The variations in the total dissolved solids and the electrical conductivity values show relatively high values in the Sea water compared with that in the Damietta Branch and the Damietta Port Canal. The observed increasing in the dissolved solids and electrical conductivity values seaward may be related to the effect of sea water intrusion. However, the observed lower values of the dissolved solids and electrical conductivity in Damietta Branch water may be related to the effect of receiving many waste-water resulted from domestic sewage, industrial activities and the extensive boating activities at Ezbt El-borg. The sodium and chloride values increase downward, through Damietta Branch toward its outlet to the Sea water and through the site of connection with the Damietta Port Canal toward the sea. The observed increasing in sodium and chloride values seaward may be related to the effect of sea water intrusion.The potassium, calcium and bicarbonate values decrease downward, through Damietta Branch toward its outlet to the sea water and through the site of connection with the Damietta Port Canal toward the sea. The observed decreasing in Potassium, Calcium and Bicarbonate values seaward may be related to the effect of sea water intrusion. The alkalis (Sodium and potassium) exceed alkaline earths …