Assessment of the presence of heavy metals in the Libyan Sea coast
Heavy metals are highly enduring pollutants in ecosystems, including water, sediments, and biota, due to their resistance to decomposition in natural settings. To detect the presence of heavy metal pollutants residential (group A), civilian (group B), and industrial (group C) zone of Libyan coastline, a total 24 samples (12 surface water samples, 6 soil samples, and 6 sand samples) were collected for the determination of Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Mn, Zn and Fe using atomic absorption spectrophotometer at specific wavelengths. Results showed that samples collected from coastline near industrial zone consists of highest concentration of Cr i.e. 1.318, 1.360, 1.404, 1.437, 1.572, 1.615, 1.550 and 1.595 from water, sand and soil samples (C1W, C2W, C3W, C4W, C5 30, C5 70, C6 20, C6 50) respectively while Pb, Ni, Fe were low. While minimum concentration of Cr was observed in samples collected from residential area. Lowest value of Cd (0.014) was found in sand sample collected from beach near industrial zone at 30cm depth. Its highest value (0.3428) was also observed in water sample from beach of industrial zone. Cu concentration is maximum (0.1496) in sand sample collected from 30cm depth at beach of residential area. Nickel and copper was <0.1 in all samples. Lead was highest in sand sample at 30cm depth from beach of residential area while in civilian and industrial zone it was <0.1. Maximum Mn was observed in sand sample of 70cm depth from civilian zone. Zinc concentration was maximum in soil sample collected from beach near industrial zone at 50cm depth. The assessment of surface water quality reveals significant contamination in all zones, with chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) exceeding EPA standard values for seawater. The study emphasizes the influence of anthropogenic activities, especially industrial and agricultural practices, on surface water pollution.
Keywords: Heavy metals, Libyan Sea coast, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Soil & water samples.
