Quality of surface water in San el-Hagar region, Sharkia governorate, Egypt

Abstract EN

A total of 36 water samples were collected from 3 irrigation and drainage canals in San El-Hagar (Sharkia Governorate, Egypt); site 1; Bahr-Mouse canal, site 2; Kafr El-Masalamya drainage canal and site 3; Almashraa drainage canal.

Measurements included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soluble ions and heavy metals were carried out during 12 months (one sample each month for each site) from June 2015 to May 2016.

The pH values ranged between 7.04 to 7.67 and EC for sites 1, 2 and 3 were averaged 2.14, 2.67 and 2.71 dSm-1, respectively.

Respective averages for sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were 4.92, 5.92 and 4.56.

Those for chlorides were 16.15, 20.78 and 22.92 mmole l-1.

Others were as follow, HCO3 -: 3.82, 4.35 and 4.34 mmole l-1, Na+: 10.79, 14.15 and 12.07 mmole l-1, and Ca2+: 3.65, 3.67 and 6.37 mmole l-1.

Water of site 1 was C3S1 (high salinity and low sodicity hazards), while waters of sites 2 and 3 were C4S1 (very high salinity and low sodicity hazards) and could be used for crops which are tolerant to salinity.

Most of the waters contained heavy metals below the permissible limits.

The results are important and might be used as a guide to water quality in San El-Hager region.