Abstract

Deposits of the endemic Mediterranean seagrass, Posidonia oceanica, are usually found covering the fronts of sandy beaches. In Egypt, these deposits are considered a source of nuisance and subjected to cleaning and eventually incineration. The current study provides the first report on the nature and distribution of P. oceanica deposits along the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt. In addition, we provide the first assessment of trace elements (TE), organic carbon (OC), and nutrient content of some of their banquettes. The results indicated that TE concentrations of P. oceanica litter and associated sediments and water are acceptable according to the international limits. The results also show that organic matter constituted >10% DW of P. oceanica litter, and OC constituted 1.9% similar to that recorded for P. oceanica living tissue. A research strategy is needed to assess carbon stocks of P. oceanica meadows and their deposits along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, in order to set strategies to mitigate climate change based on their carbon sink capacity. Local campaigns should be conducted to increase people's awareness of the importance of seagrasses to the environment and consequently to their livelihood.

摘要

通常发现地中海特有海草（Posidonia oceanica）的沉积物覆盖了沙滩的前缘。在埃及，这些沉积物被认为是滋扰之源，并经过清洁和最终焚化处理。本研究提供了关于埃及地中海沿岸大洋洲体育沉积物的性质和分布的第一份报告。此外，我们提供了一些宴会食品中痕量元素（TE），有机碳（OC）以及营养成分的首次评估。结果表明，根据国际限制，大洋假枝凋落物及相关沉积物和水的TE浓度是可以接受的。结果还表明，有机物构成了海洋假单胞菌凋落物的> 10％DW，而OC构成了海洋假单胞菌活体组织记录的1.9％的相似值。需要一种研究策略来评估埃及地中海沿岸大洋洲草地及其沉积物的碳储量，以便根据其碳汇能力制定缓解气候变化的策略。应该开展地方运动，以提高人们对海草对环境及其生计重要性的认识。