Spatial distribution and environmental geochemistry of zinc metal in water and surficial bottom sediments of Lagoon Burullus, Egypt

Abstract Lagoon Burullus is located in the North West quadrant of the Nile Delta. It receives drainage water through several drains around the lagoon. Understanding the mobility and bioavailability of zinc metal in bottom sediments of Lagoon Burullus is essential for the design of remediation processes and the institution of environmental recommendation for zinc pollution. Single extractions used to fractionate zinc into five fractions. The chemical analyses preceded using atomic absorption spectrometry after using the digestion technique. Zinc concentrates in the residual fraction (167.5 μg/g) followed by the organic (14.6 μg/g), exchangeable (3.2 μg/g), carbonate (2.4 μg/g) and then the Fe-Mn hydroxides (1 μg/g) fractions. The average content of zinc (189 μg/g) is about three fold the average earth's crust. Ecological pollution index show that the metal has a low-risk assessment to surrounding ecosystem. The anthropogenic activities considered as the main source of pollution.