Eutrophication Status and Control of Egyptian Northern Lakes

Abstract

AbstractFour coastal lakes fringe the north coast of the Nile Delta, Egypt: Manzala, Maruit, Edku and Burullus. These lakes receive huge amounts of direct and indirect drainage: agriculture, industrial and domestic. Eutrophication of these lakes can have significant negative ecological, social and economic impacts on human. The objective of this paper is to quantify and classify the Carlson trophic state index of the Egyptian northern lakes. Also, control actions to reduce deterioration of northern lakes will be recommended. Data of water quality variables of different lakes are taken from the formal reports of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) Web site. The calculation and classification of Carlson trophic state index (CTSI) are made for the period from 2011 until 2015 according to Carlson method, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) classification and other variables associated with trophic levels in lakes. These variables are total phosphorus, total nitrogen, chlorophyll-a and Secchi depth. The study revealed that northern lakes suffer from different degrees of eutrophication. Regression analysis results showed that Carlson trophic state index trend is increasing which indicates deteriorating water quality in Lake Maruit, Burullus and Bardawil, declining or improving in Lake Edku and Lake Manzala.KeywordsCarlson trophic state indexEutrophicationNorthern lakesRegression analysis