Distribution of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in the recent sediments of the Mediterranean continental shelf of Egypt

Abstract

      The distribution of organic carbon, nitrogen and phospho­rus was studied in sediment samples from the continental shelf of Egypt between El Agamy and El Arish. On the ave­rage, the sediments contained 7.61 mg/g carbon, 1.36 mg/g nitrogen and 0.0905 mg/g phosphorus dry weight. The distri­bution and the close correlation between the three elements studied indicate their close association. The spatial distribu­tion of the elements, the tendency of decreasing concentra­tions as we moved farther away from the Nile mouths and the lake’s openings and the relative richness of the sediments in the cones in front of two major estuaries of the river, suggest that the River Nile and the drainage water from the Delta are the main source of these elements in the investi­gated area.