Heavy Metals Distribution and Pollution in the Sediments of the Wadi Gaza Mouth, Eastern Mediterranean Coast, Palestine

Wadi Gaza is the most important wetland in Gaza Strip. Due to the difficult economic conditions, the Israeli occupation and lack of the resources, Wadi Gaza became a place for solid and liquid waste disposal from surrounding provinces. The aim of this study is to assess the heavy metals in the sediments of the Wadi Gaza, North, and South of downstream along the beach of Gaza Strip. This was achieved through sediment sampling along the course of the Wadi downstream; north and south of the beach sands, and the geochemical analysis was done in the Ministry of Health Laboratories. The concentrations of Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cu, and Pb were determined in the sediments, using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean concentrations of the heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cu, and Pb) in the sediments of the mouth of the Wadi Gaza were 16.04, 49.33, 3.38, 1.72, 3.83, and 0.79 mg/kg, respectively. The area of Wadi Gaza downstream was the most higher concentration of the heavy metals than other locations, except the Cd, it shows high-level in beach sands in the north and south of the study area with mean about 2.08 mg/kg, while its mean concentration in the wadi downstream sediments was about 1.02 mg/kg. The concentration levels of the heavy metals (Mn, Cd, Cu, and Pb) in the sediments of the study area were below the limits of standard for sediments, but Ni and Zn were moderate pollutant compared with Ontario and US EPA of the sediment quality guidelines. The distribution patterns for Zn, and Ni clearly indicate that sediment contamination is due to anthropogenic factors, and may become alarming if mitigation measures are not considered. The study recommends to stop the flow of sewage into the marine environment, which is the main source of pollution in study area. The effluent discharge method should be reconsidered. Strengthening the scientific research efforts to improve Wadi Gaza monitoring programs and consequently wetland quality