Studies on the effect of el Rahaway drain on the River nile water pollution by trace metals and major cations at el-Kanater-el Khyria area under the effect of seasonal variation

Abstract EN

El Rahaway drains lies at 30 Km, North to Cairo at El-Kanater El-Kahyria area, Egypt.

The drain receives domestic and agriculture wastes from Giza city and pour its effluents into the Nile water of Rossetta branch.

This part of the study has been performed to follow the seasonal variation of pH; dissolved oxygen; trace metals (Fe ; Zn ; Cd ; and Pb) and major cation in surface and bottom water of El Rahaway drain; at the point of its discharge with the Nile water and also before and after the discharge point; and comparison with five selected locations along the River Nile at the bifurcation.

This is to evaluate the effect of these effluents on the quality of the river water.

The results showed that the discharged effluents decreased the pH by 0.5 units, while decreased the dissolved oxygen to low values.

Also high concentration values of all elements studied were observed which render the water not suitable neither for domestic use nor irrigation and expected to kill most biota in the water at the discharge point especially in autumn.

These bad effects generally continue till 300 meter after the discharge point.

Fe; Pb; and Cd concentration exceeds the upper limit of standard at most sites along the River Nile especially in summer.

The order of the major cations was found to be : Na > K > Mg > Ca.

According to the calculated SAR (sodium adsorption ratios), the water quality of River Nile for irrigation was lower at many sites along the River Nile especially in summer and autumn.

Generally it can be concluded that the river of Nile River is a soft water polluted with Fe ; Cd and high level of Pb.