The impact of phosphate loading activities on near marine environment: theSyrian coast

The impact of loading cargoes of phosphate ore into ships on the near marin e environment at the Syrian coast has been evaluated. Results have shown a significant enhancement of Po-210 Pb-210 and other natural radionuclides in sediment and surface water inside the port area. The highest Po-210 and Pb -210 concentrations observed in sediment were found to be 170 and 64 Bq kg( -1), respectively, while Pb-210 and Po-211 concentrations in surface water ranged from 5 to 20 mBq l(-1) and 0.93 to 3.23 mBq l(-1). In addition, comp arable values of Po-210 and Pb-210 for all marine organisms (algae, crab an d fish) suggest that their use as indicators for phosphate pollution is not recommended. However, the effect of loading cargoes on the port marine env ironment of Tartous was found to be mainly related to wind direction where radioactive air particulate are either being dispersed to land or sea. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.