Dr. Elias Akoury’s years of joint research with LAU students and interdisciplinary faculty come to fruition with the publication of two seminal research papers on water contamination in Lebanon.

A keen kayaker, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the LAU School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS) Elias Akoury resolved to research pollutants and emerging contaminants in Lebanese waters after repeatedly coming across sea turtles trapped in plastic along the coast. 

He spent the past few years investigating anthropogenic plastic pollution in seawater—tracking its spread along coastlines and islands and laying the groundwork for assessing and mitigating its impact on the environment and human health.

Four years of data curation, analysis, and project administration—alongside contributions from his fellow faculty members Drs. Bilal Nehme and Fatima Haydous, as well as alumna Hiba Ali (BS ’22)—culminated in the publication of “Emerging Contaminants in the Mediterranean Sea Endangering Lebanon’s Palm Islands Natural Reserve” in the Royal Society of Chemistry Journal in January 2025.

The paper provides key observations into the pollution dynamics of heavy metals and phthalates—chemicals released by microplastics—in water and sediments, drawing from samples collected across various sites in the UNESCO-designated Palm Islands marine protected area. 

By examining seasonal variations and proximity to pollution sources, the authors highlight the ecological risks posed by emerging contaminants, emphasizing the study’s relevance to environmental monitoring and conservation efforts.

A month later, a second paper, “Unraveling the Levels of Emerging Contaminants Along the Eastern Mediterranean Sea,” also led by Dr. Akoury, was published in the February issue of Scientific Reports. With contributions from faculty at SoAS and the School of Engineering, as well as alumni Christopher Saab (BS ’22) and Sara Sabbagh (BS ’23), the study identified elevated levels of specific contaminant concentrations—including chromium, iron, and arsenic—along Lebanon’s coastline, offering valuable insights into human-driven pollution patterns and serious environmental risks.

Notably, the samples collected from 40 coastal locations revealed elevated levels of cadmium, which exceeded the limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, posing a direct threat to marine life and human health. As heavy metals bioaccumulate in marine organisms, their consumption by humans can lead to neurological damage and reproductive failure.

The paper also underscored the widespread presence of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a common plastic additive that disrupts hormones, affects fertility, raises cancer risks, and contributes to developmental abnormalities.

Commenting on the collaborative effort behind the papers, Dr. Akoury highlighted how faculty-student research on emerging contaminants enhances hands-on learning, critical thinking, and technical skills. “Students gain expertise in analytical techniques, data interpretation, and risk assessment, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, and regulation,” he said. Faculty, in turn, benefit from fresh perspectives, increased research productivity, and mentorship opportunities.

“This synergy accelerates data collection, fosters interdisciplinary problem-solving, and drives innovative remediation strategies,” Dr. Akoury added. Such partnerships also secure funding and institutional support, strengthening universities’ scientific impact and policy influence. “Ultimately, integrating research with education is the key to shaping future scientists and advancing global efforts to mitigate emerging contaminants.”

Given the findings of both papers on contaminants in the Mediterranean Sea, the researchers call for urgent, collective action against marine pollution. By offering crucial data for environmental monitoring, these studies highlight the need to safeguard marine ecosystems and public health, which, in turn, will help protect Lebanon’s vital tourism sector, a key industry dependent on the wellbeing of its coastal areas.

Both research projects were funded by Tomorrow’s Leaders Program from the US–Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). These studies were made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Department of State. The research contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of State or the United States Government.