The Red Sea
The Red Sea is situated between Asia and Africa. It is estimated to cover a surface area of 438,000 km2 and extends for a length of approximately 2250 km (Bosworth, 2015). It was formed as a result of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa’s rift and is known to be a part of the Great Rift Valley. The rift is said to have been influenced by the pre-existing basement structures extending to a complex path from Suez to Afar. Each formed rift basins formed a well-defined water accommodation zones between the sub-basins occurring along with the complex Afar to Suez path (Bosworth, 2015). Notably, the sea is categorized among the saltiest water body masses in the world due to low precipitation and high rates of evaporation. The salinity ranges from 36% and 41% in the southern and northern parts, respectively. Contemporary geological studies suggest that the rifting is still occurring, making the Red Sea one of its kind.
To serve the increasing freshwater needs of the population, human desalination plants have been established across the saltwater body. Al Yosr desalination plant established by the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt is one of the largest plants initiated to address freshwater problems experienced by Hurghada city. Unfortunately, the desalination plants set up across the Red Sea have harmed the marine environment. The discharge of the concentrated brine from the pipelines poses harm to marine plants and animals. Besides, the Red Sea is rich in oil, and several oilfields and oil exploration plants have been established. This has exposed the marine environment to further damage due to the high levels of oil pollution characterized by the presence of offshore oil fields. A good example is Ras-Gharib located in the southern part of the Red Sea (Kenigsberg Abramovich & Hyams-Kaphzan 2020). Brine and oil pollution poses a significant threat to the marine environment leading to the deterioration of sea plants and animals. Luckily, Egypt has been playing an active role in protecting the sea. Environmental conservation groups such as Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) are also taking part in monitoring sea activities.
References
Kenigsberg C, Abramovich S, Hyams-Kaphzan O., (2020). The effect of long-term brine discharge from desalination plants on benthic foraminifera. PLOS ONE 15(1): e0227589. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227589
Bosworth, W., (2015). Geological Evolution of the Red Sea: Historical Background, Review and Synthesis. A chapter from the book The northern Red Sea in Transition from Rifting to Drifting – Lessons learned from Ocean Deeps (pp.45-78). 10.1007/978-3-662-45201-1_3.