Nearshore sediment pollution in Israel by trace metals derived from sewage effluent

Sediments along the Israeli coast were examined to determine the effects of large scale dumping of sewage on trace metal contents. The Tel Aviv-Yafo sewage pipeline outlet is the largest point source of sewage effluent along the coast.Significant quantities of trace metals—Ag, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn—were found in sediments extending to a distance as far as 400 m from the sewage pipeline outlet. Beyond this point, sufficient dilution occurs to limit contamination by sewage to relatively low levels at present. In the contaminated area, there are seasonable variations with maximum trace metal concentrations occurring in the summer. The upper layers of the cores contain a greater trace metal burden than do the lower.