Evaluation of surface water quality in the Nile Delta of Egypt, Part II

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States)

OSTI ID:6077067

Ghoneim, M M; Issa, R M; El-Sheikh, M Y; Elmorsi, M A; Gale, N L; Wixson, B G

This study is the second part of an environmental research project designed to evaluate the level of trace and other major elements in surface waters in the Nile Delta area of Egypt. Surface water samples were collected from selected sites along major canals and drains which comprise the water distribution system of the agricultural areas in the Nile Delta. Water samples were analyzed for major elements and trace elements using Inductive Coupled Argon Plasma. The influence of agricultural runoff, industrial discharge or infiltration of sea water was evidenced in the elevated concentrations of major elements such as Na, Ca, K and Mg with the gradient increasing in proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. Concentrations of trace elements such as Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, As, and Se were consistently below US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits for potable water in all samples analyzed. These acceptable concentrations of heavy metals in the Nile River, canals and drains may be the combination of dilution, precipitation or absorption reactions which tend to reduce the heavy metal level. The pH of the water sampled during this study ranged from 7.2 to 8.0 which has been bound to enhance the precipitation of heavy metals. 7 references, 2 figures, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Tanta Univ., Egypt
• OSTI ID: 6077067
• Report Number(s): CONF-860626-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AFRICA
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ARSENIC
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
COPPER
DATA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EGYPTIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
LEAD
MAGNESIUM
METALS
MONITORING
NUMERICAL DATA
PH VALUE
POTASSIUM
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SODIUM
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER QUALITY
ZINC