Environmental Assessments For Areas Located Both Sides of Bahr El-Baqar Polluted Drain Northeastern Egypt

Abstract

This template is set up to allow printing on A4 paper. For optimum use, do not make changes or modifications to the page layout or paragraph styles. The information given here is generally applicable, but individual journals may have their own specific requirements. Finally, the journal title should be appeared in the first page only. Bahr El-Baqar drain in northeastern Egypt is considered as one of the most polluted drains in Egypt. The use of polluted water from the drain in fish farms and agricultural lands has a very dangerous environmental effect on soil and ground water. Besides, seepage from the polluted drain to the adjacent lands has a great effect on the quality of the ground water in the area. The main objective of the current research is to conduct an integrated environmental assessment for areas located both sides of Bahr El- Baqar drain for the last 20 km length of the drain before it charges its water into Manzala Lake. In order to achieve that, the effects of using polluted drain water in new/old fish farms and agricultural lands were investigated. Pollution level in moor and fill lands adjacent to the drain were also investigated. In addition, effect of seepage from the polluted drain to the adjacent lands has been studied. Water and soil samples have been collected and analyzed in order to calculate the concentrations of five main heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu and Mn). Samples were collected from different depths ranging from 0.5m to 4m in 24 different locations for the study area. Different locations have been chosen in new/old fish farms, lands adjacent to the fish farms, moor lands, fill lands and agricultural lands using polluted drain water and fresh water from the canal. Results showed that the areas of old fish farms have received the highest concentration ratios in heavy metals. Results also showed that the fish farms using polluted water have not only dangerous effect on its own soil but also has almost the same bad effect on the adjacent areas surrounding it. The next highest ratios were found in agricultural lands using polluted water for irrigation. Furthermore, Results showed that the effect of using polluted water for irrigation or raising fish is more dangerous than the effect of seepage from the polluted drain.