Abstract:
A field survey was conducted starting 21 May through 16 August (three months)
at two sites, EI-Helwe site and Selaata site, to document aggression sources
and characterize the coastal waters near these sites. Photographic
documentation was taken, visual observations noted, and water samples were
collected from seven stations (six at Selaata, one control at EI-Helwe) during the
survey. The samples were physically characterized in the field (temperature,
dissolved oxygen (~O), turbidity, salinity, conductivity, total dissolved solids
(TOS), and pH) and chemically and biologically analyzed for a series of
constituents in the laboratories at the Lebanese American University (nitrate,
nitrite, orthophosphate, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen
demand (COD), fecal coliform and total coliform bacteria). While the seawater temperature varied from 20.81 °C to 28.84 °C, salinity ranged
from 37.77 %0 to 39.28 %0. Though, the values of BOD and COD fluctuated
widely, pH, conductivity, TOS, turbidity, nitrate and DO values had narrow
fluctuations. The concentrations of nitrite, orthophosphate were 0 - 0.019mg/l, 0
to 7.81 mg/l respectively. The number of total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria
was within the guideline limits. The parameters tested in this study show that
their concentrations are considerably higher in Selaata than in EI-Helwe. The
location of the stations near and around the Lebanese Chemical Company (LCC)
indicates LCC as the most likely source of contamination. Results of the present
study show that Selaata and its immediate vicinity remain polluted while EIHelwe
area is within the acceptable levels. The information and views presented are intended to provide a basic prelude of
awareness to marine water environmental pollution. They are also intended to inform and promote discussion for the public, organizations and decision makers
who are concerned about the deterioration of the quality of the water
environment that is being used. The results obtained have been used to establish baseline data for future testing
and to produce a report on overall seawater quality of the Selaata area to be presented to the Lebanese American University.
