An overview of the status of Lake Edku environment: Status, challenges, and next steps

Abstract

Lake Edku is the third largest northern Egyptian coastal lake in the Nile Delta and one of Egypt’s most threatened aquatic wetlands due to anthropogenic activity and pollution. Lake Edku is among the Egyptian lakes that are seriously influenced by anthropogenic wastes and other man-made pollutants. Lake Edku is geographically surrounded by urban areas (Behaira Governorate), fish farms, and agricultural lands. The surrounding drains transport huge amounts of agricultural and fishing wastes (particularly the El-Khairy Drain and Barsik Drain) into the lake water. Such various surrounding activities resulted in the discharge of huge quantities of different wastes into the lake, which caused several problems. The present review was conducted to provide a comprehensive picture of increasing pollution in Lake Edku during the last two decades. The results of this study will act as a warning for the decision-makers to take the necessary actions and policies to reduce the environmental risk and maintain the healthy environment of the lake.