Heavy Metal Contamination of the River Nile Environment, Rosetta Branch, Egypt

Abstract

The Rosetta Branch is one of Egypt’s most important Nile River branches, providing freshwater to multiple cities. However, its water quality has been deteriorating, with various wastes containing high loads of heavy metals being discharged into its body of water. Seasonally, water and sediment samples and two native aquatic plants (Ceratophyllum demersum and Eichhornia crassipes) were collected and analyzed from the Rosetta Branch to assess the level of metal contamination (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr, and Co) using different metal indices. The levels of some metals in the branch water overstepped those suitable for drinking water and aquatic life. In increasing order, the means of the heavy metal concentrations in branch water (µg/L) were Cd (1.8–4.9) < Co (7.18–28.1) ≈ Ni (9.0–25.1) < Cr (8.56–27.4) < Cu (14–75) < Pb (9.3–67.9) < Zn (22–133) < Mn (68–220) < Fe (396–1640). All the metal indices measured in the sediment confirmed the Ni and Cd contamination, where Ni and Cd in the sediment surpass the sediment quality guidelines in 80% and 53% of samples, respectively, reflecting frequent adverse effects on aquatic organisms. According to the bioconcentration factor, C. demersum and E. crassipes have higher accumulation capacities mainly for Cd than those for other metals considered as major pollutants in the water and sediment of Rosetta Branch, reflecting the role of hydrophytes in the biological treatment of polluted water in aquatic environments.

Irreversible and Large‐Scale Heavy Metal Pollution Arising From Increased Damming and Untreated Water Reuse in the Nile Delta

“… Cumulative bar chart shows the historical increase in heavy metals concentration in the Rosetta branch (2008–2019) (Data source: Al‐Afify & Abdel‐Satar, 2022; El Bouraie et al., 2010; Redwan & Elhaddad, 2016). In addition, trends of direct use of agricultural drainage water, industrial water withdrawal, municipal water withdrawal and produced municipal wastewater since 2010 are shown (source: FAO AQUASTAT, 2022).…”

“…Finally, the main grain size distribution parameters including mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis were calculated and used for the statistical analyses (Table 1). For comparison purposes, we included additional reported analyses for sediment samples from the Rosetta branch (Al‐Afify & Abdel‐Satar, 2022; El Bouraie et al., 2010; Redwan & Elhaddad, 2016; Table S1 in Supporting Information S1) to better understand the temporal trend of heavy metal concentration in response to various anthropogenic drivers and to examine the current status of pollution level in the Nile Delta. Only samples collected within a radial distance of 2 km from the collected samples in this study and along a considerable extension of the Rosetta branch were considered.…”

Water and sediment quality of an agro‐industrial area through different approaches: Physicochemical parameters and ecotoxicity with amphibians

“…These elements may derive from anthropic activities, such as industries, agriculture, or urban settlements (Harguinteguy et al, 2014). High concentrations of these metals may negatively affect aquatic organisms (Al‐Afify & Abdel‐Satar, 2022). In sediments, all these metals were concentrated, which increases the exposure concentration to toxic metals that negatively affect amphibian larvae (Shuhaimi‐Othman et al, 2012).…”

Heavy‐metal tolerant bacterial strains isolated from industrial sites and scrap yards in Kashmir, India

“…Heavy metals can be found naturally in weathered minerals, erosion, volcanic eruptions, biomass burning, biogenic origins, and particles created by vegetation [4], and some familiar anthropogenic sources of heavy metals include metallurgical smelting and vehicle exhaust [5]. Heavy metal contamination threatens the environment, ecosystems, and living things [6]. All living things require heavy metals in small amounts.…”