Mamdouh Sabour - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Mamdouh Sabour
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Cuticular waxes cover the plant surface and serve as hydrophobic layer, exhibiting various wax pr... more Cuticular waxes cover the plant surface and serve as hydrophobic layer, exhibiting various wax profiles between plant species and plant organs. This paper reports comprehensive analysis of the waxes on organs exposed to air, including leaf, stem, pod pericarp, and petals (banner, wing and keel), and on seed coat enwrapped in pod pericarp of faba bean (Vicia faba). In total 7 classes of wax compounds were identified, including fatty acids, primary alcohols, alkyl esters, aldehydes, alkanes, cinnamyl alcohol esters, and alkylresorcinols. Overall, primary alcohols dominated the waxes on leaves and the seed coat enwrapped in pod pericarp, alkanes accumulated largely in stem and petals, whereas alkylresorcinols were observed in leaf, stem and pod pericarp. Organs exposed to air had higher coverage (>1.2 μg/cm2) than those on seed coat (<0.8 μg/cm2), and keel having the highest wax coverage. Meanwhile, the wax coverage on seed coat reduced during the seed development. The variations of wax coverages, compound class distributions and chain length profiles among organs suggested that wax depositions were associated with their ecophysiological functions, and the enzymes involved in wax biosynthesis also showed organ-specific.
Assiut University Bulletin for Environmental Researches, Mar 1, 1999
An industrial area north of greater Cairo was selected to investigate the impact of intensive ind... more An industrial area north of greater Cairo was selected to investigate the impact of intensive industrial activities on soil characteristics and heavy metals content. The studied area was divided into six sectors according to its source of irrigation water and/or probability of pollution. Sixteen soil profiles were dug and soil samples were taken, air dried, fractionated to different grain size fractions, then total heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Co, and Cd) were determined using ICP technique. The enrichment factor for each element, for each soil fraction/soil layer was estimated and discussed. Results revealed that the increase of EFvalues with soil depth, in some cases, may suggest that some heavy metals in the contaminated soils are mobile and leacheable through the soil profile due to the presence of organic complexes usually found in wastewater effluent. These dissolved organic compounds act as chelating agents and protect metals from the ordinary precipitation and fixation process in arid soils. The highest EF ratios in the clay fraction were mainly with Cd which may shows the industrial impact on the soil. Concerning silt fraction, a varied accumulation of Zn and Cu was observed with soil depth and different soil profiles
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
EG0100088 The present studies deal with the optimum physical conditions which seriously affect th... more EG0100088 The present studies deal with the optimum physical conditions which seriously affect the neutron activation analysis technique efficiency. An experimental work for the efficiency calibration of hyper pure germanium detectors especially for environmental studies is presented. This work showed that the tested parameters, under consideration, distance, mass and measured time, reveal a significant effect on the obtained data. These results, interne, affect the accuracy of the measurements. Further work on the test of other parameters is planned in our Laboratory using special treatments and applying special computer programs.
Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with mixtures of solutes of different concentrations ... more Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with mixtures of solutes of different concentrations of some radionuclides as 134Cs, 60Co, 65Zn and 51Cr, in five different soils. The soils varied in their organic matter source and content due to prolonged irrigation with primary treated sewage effluent or untreated industrial wastewater. the distribution coefficients (Kd) were measured at different equilibrium times namely, 2, 24, 48, 72, 144 and 336 h. statistical correlation and curve fittings indicated that metal sorption into soils was influenced by the presence of clays, organic matter content and hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn. The highest log Kd values were obtained in case of Cs in all investigated soils with a general mean of 1.878+ 0.28. Log Kd for Cr exhibited a higher values than those did for at any tested soil (general mean 1.675+0 .33 and 1.658+0.24 for Cr and Co respectively). Zinc had the lowest log Kd values, indicating that Cs is highly retained in soil than other tested...
The Environmental impact of industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes on heavy metals sediment... more The Environmental impact of industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes on heavy metals sediment content in Lake Temsah has been investigated. Seven sites were chosen, differ in nature of activity and quantity of wastes, namely from south to north-west; Arab contractors shipyard workshop (A), The junction between the western logon and the lake (B), EI-Temsah Workshop (C), El-Temsah shipyard (private workshop) (D), El-Karakat workshop for SCA (E), El-Forsan drain outfall to the lake (F) and SCA Press outlet (G). Eight of heavy metal concentrations of concern (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cd and Pb) were estimated in sediment samples collected from different chosen sites during the seasons; summer & autumn 1995 and winter & spring 1996. Results of this study reveal that pollution is directly related to the type of the activity in each site. Sediment samples results showed that the most suffering sites were found to be in the order of B> D> O G> F, and the least polluted ones were...
ABSTRACT A trial was made to study the use of different plant species to extract heavy metals out... more ABSTRACT A trial was made to study the use of different plant species to extract heavy metals out of contaminated soils. Four Kg of each air-dried surface soil sample (0-20cm) were packed in plastic containers in three replicates. Five plant species tested in this study namely, Panikum (Panicum antidotal) and napier grass (Bennisetum purpureum), squash (Cucurbita pepo), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), sunflower (Helianthus annuus); were grown on two different polluted soil types (Mostorud Clayey soil, irrigated with contaminated water for more than 30 years and El-Gabal EL-Asfar sandyloam soil, subjected to sewage effluent irrigation for more than 50 years) in a complete randomized block experimental design to study the mobility and fate of selected heavy metals and evaluate the efficiency of the tested plant species to extract Cadmium and Zinc out of polluted soils. Data indicated that sunflower and cotton shoots accumulated the highest Cd content among the five tested plant species, ...
This review paper discusses NORM wastes generated from oil and gas production. Because the extrac... more This review paper discusses NORM wastes generated from oil and gas production. Because the extraction process concentrates the naturally occurring radionuclides and exposes them to the surface environment and human contact, these wastes are classified as TENORM. While uranium and thorium are not soluble in processing water, their radioactive decay product, radium, and some of its decay products are somewhat soluble. Radium and its decay products may dissolve in the brine. They may remain in solution or settle out to form sludges, which accumulate in tanks and pits, or mineral scales. In gas processing activities, NORM generally occurs as radon gas in the natural gas stream. Radon decays to Lead-210, then to Bismuth-210, Polonium-210, and finally to stable Lead-206. Radon decay elements occur as a film on the inner surface of inlet lines, treating units, pumps, and valves principally associated with propylene, ethane, and propane processing streams. According to OSHA the average radi...
Journal of environmental sciences (China), 2002
Thirty-two surface (0-20 cm) soil samples were collected from different locations in Egypt repres... more Thirty-two surface (0-20 cm) soil samples were collected from different locations in Egypt representing non-polluted, moderately and highly polluted soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate total Zn content in alluvial soils of Nile Delta in Egypt by using the delayed neutron activation analysis technique (DNAA), in the irradiation facilities of the first Egyptian research reactor (ET-RR-1). The gamma-ray spectra were recorded with a hyper pure germanium detection system. The well resolved gamma-ray peak at 1116.0 keV was efficiently used for 65Zn content determination. Zn content in non-polluted soil samples ranged between 74.1 and 103.8 ppm with an average of 98.5 +/- 5.1 ppm. Zn content in moderately polluted soils ranged between 136.0 and 232.5 ppm with an average of 180.1 +/- 32.6 ppm. The highest Zn levels ranging from 240.0 and 733.0 ppm with an average of 410.3 +/- 54.4 ppm, were observed in soil samples collected from, either highly polluted agricultural soils exposed t...
International Journal of Environmental Studies, 1991
Red clover (Trifolium partense L.) dry matter and tolerance index (Ti) responses to increasing ni... more Red clover (Trifolium partense L.) dry matter and tolerance index (Ti) responses to increasing nickel level varied with soil texture. In general, a reduction in dry matter was observed at Ni levels above 50 mg/kg for sandy loam and loamy soils, and above 10 mg/kg for sandy soil. However, Ni concentration in clover tops increased linearly as applied Ni level
Journal of Environmental Sciences(China), 2003
Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic conve... more Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic converters, and paint pigments. Thus the potential for Co releases into the environment is highly increased. Use of waste sludges and sewage effluent to fertilize and irrigate soils has also increased soil Co concentrations. Total cobalt contents of alluvial delta soil of Egypt show considerable variation ranging from 13.1 to 64.7 ppm. The impact of either wastewater irrigation or industrial activities on soil total Co was obvious due to accumulation of organic matter and solid waste in the surface soil samples. Food crops and vegetables should not be grown on soil highly contaminated by Co. It is noteworthy that the delayed neutron activation analysis (DNAA) technique could be used successfully for total Co determination due to its high sensitivity. It is quit clearly that dust samples of Cairo City contains higher Co level, as compared to Suez Canal Region (Ismailia, Port Said an El-Sues cities). The high values in Cairo City may be due to the existence of industries around the city and the intensive traffic. To minimize Co environmental hazards, waste effluents should be treated on site. Thus, levels of potentially toxic Co needs to be continuously monitored and should be removed during several treatment processes before the disposal of these wastes.
Journal of Environmental Sciences(China), 2003
Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic conve... more Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic converters, and paint pigments. Thus the potential for Co releases into the environment is highly increased. Use of waste sludges and sewage effluent to fertilize and irrigate soils has also increased soil Co concentrations. Total cobalt contents of alluvial delta soil of Egypt show considerable variation ranging from 13.1 to 64.7 ppm. The impact of either wastewater irrigation or industrial activities on soil total Co was obvious due to accumulation of organic matter and solid waste in the surface soil samples. Food crops and vegetables should not be grown on soil highly contaminated by Co. It is noteworthy that the delayed neutron activation analysis (DNAA) technique could be used successfully for total Co determination due to its high sensitivity. It is quit clearly that dust samples of Cairo City contains higher Co level, as compared to Suez Canal Region (Ismailia, Port Said an El-Sues cities). The high values in Cairo City may be due to the existence of industries around the city and the intensive traffic. To minimize Co environmental hazards, waste effluents should be treated on site. Thus, levels of potentially toxic Co needs to be continuously monitored and should be removed during several treatment processes before the disposal of these wastes.
Advance in Agriculture and Biology
In this study Ni species were determined using a sequential extraction technique. The method cons... more In this study Ni species were determined using a sequential extraction technique. The method consists of sequential extraction of the soil with different solutions, and it is designed to separate into six operationally defined fractions namely water soluble, exchangeable, carbonate bound, Fe-Mn oxides bound, organic bound and residual fractions. The objectives of this study were to investigate nickel forms in tested soils and to determine the effect of industrial wastewater effluent irrigation on the metal fractions in soil. Data showed a remarkable increase in all tested Ni-forms in polluted soil. It could be concluded that soil composition has been changed with depth. Especially under such condition whereas, metal soluble organic compounds found in wastewater may precipitate and percolates through soil and may transport soluble Ni with the soil solution. Introduction The content of both total and available Ni in soil is affected by different activities affecting the soil environment. Metal contaminants in soil environments derived from applications of industrial wastewater have clearly established the need for research on bioavailability and potential health risks. Alloway, (1995) reported that Ni recently has become a serious pollutant that is released in the emissions from metal processing operations and from the increasing combustion of coal and oil. Also application of sludge and certain phosphate fertilizers may be important sources of Ni in soils.
A soil-column experiment was conducted to study the movement and distribution of added labled sel... more A soil-column experiment was conducted to study the movement and distribution of added labled selenium (75 Se) in three different soils of Egypt, namely sandy (pH 7.2), calcareous (sandy loam, pH 8.1), and alluvial (clay loam, pH 7.8). The greatest amount of Se leached was in the sandy soul and the least in the alluvial one. The “difficulty” available form of Se retained in both the alluvial and calcareous soils was greater than each of the “potentially” and “readily” available forms. The opposite was true for the sandy soil. Regardless of soil effect, there was a slight increase in the readily available form with soil depth. In contrast, the amounts of “potentially” and “difficulty” available Se decreased after few centimeters from the surface in the sandy and calcareous soils. The difficulty available Se form increased sharply after the third centimeter downward in the alluvial soil. The A-value method was used to evaluate the element uptake by Sudan grass “Sorghum sudanense” and the percentage utilization of applied Se. Selenium was more effective in sandy soil
The use of wastewater in agriculture is of supreme importance in arid and semiarid countries. In ... more The use of wastewater in agriculture is of supreme importance in arid and semiarid countries. In such countries water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource, and planners are forced to consider any source of water that might be used economically and effectively to promote further development. At the same time, with population expanding at a high rate, the need for increasing food production is apparent. Whenever good quality water is scarce, water of marginal quality will have to be considered for use in agriculture. However, marginal quality water requires more complex management practices and more stringent monitoring procedures to avoid the possibly hazardous effects of the discharge of industrial effluents to public sewers or water in which people bathe. The principal health hazards associated with the chemical constituents of wastewaters arise from the contamination of soils, crops, and/or groundwaters. Of particular concern are cumulative poisons, such as heavy metals, an...
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
Cuticular waxes cover the plant surface and serve as hydrophobic layer, exhibiting various wax pr... more Cuticular waxes cover the plant surface and serve as hydrophobic layer, exhibiting various wax profiles between plant species and plant organs. This paper reports comprehensive analysis of the waxes on organs exposed to air, including leaf, stem, pod pericarp, and petals (banner, wing and keel), and on seed coat enwrapped in pod pericarp of faba bean (Vicia faba). In total 7 classes of wax compounds were identified, including fatty acids, primary alcohols, alkyl esters, aldehydes, alkanes, cinnamyl alcohol esters, and alkylresorcinols. Overall, primary alcohols dominated the waxes on leaves and the seed coat enwrapped in pod pericarp, alkanes accumulated largely in stem and petals, whereas alkylresorcinols were observed in leaf, stem and pod pericarp. Organs exposed to air had higher coverage (>1.2 μg/cm2) than those on seed coat (<0.8 μg/cm2), and keel having the highest wax coverage. Meanwhile, the wax coverage on seed coat reduced during the seed development. The variations of wax coverages, compound class distributions and chain length profiles among organs suggested that wax depositions were associated with their ecophysiological functions, and the enzymes involved in wax biosynthesis also showed organ-specific.
Assiut University Bulletin for Environmental Researches, Mar 1, 1999
An industrial area north of greater Cairo was selected to investigate the impact of intensive ind... more An industrial area north of greater Cairo was selected to investigate the impact of intensive industrial activities on soil characteristics and heavy metals content. The studied area was divided into six sectors according to its source of irrigation water and/or probability of pollution. Sixteen soil profiles were dug and soil samples were taken, air dried, fractionated to different grain size fractions, then total heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Co, and Cd) were determined using ICP technique. The enrichment factor for each element, for each soil fraction/soil layer was estimated and discussed. Results revealed that the increase of EFvalues with soil depth, in some cases, may suggest that some heavy metals in the contaminated soils are mobile and leacheable through the soil profile due to the presence of organic complexes usually found in wastewater effluent. These dissolved organic compounds act as chelating agents and protect metals from the ordinary precipitation and fixation process in arid soils. The highest EF ratios in the clay fraction were mainly with Cd which may shows the industrial impact on the soil. Concerning silt fraction, a varied accumulation of Zn and Cu was observed with soil depth and different soil profiles
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
EG0100088 The present studies deal with the optimum physical conditions which seriously affect th... more EG0100088 The present studies deal with the optimum physical conditions which seriously affect the neutron activation analysis technique efficiency. An experimental work for the efficiency calibration of hyper pure germanium detectors especially for environmental studies is presented. This work showed that the tested parameters, under consideration, distance, mass and measured time, reveal a significant effect on the obtained data. These results, interne, affect the accuracy of the measurements. Further work on the test of other parameters is planned in our Laboratory using special treatments and applying special computer programs.
Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with mixtures of solutes of different concentrations ... more Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with mixtures of solutes of different concentrations of some radionuclides as 134Cs, 60Co, 65Zn and 51Cr, in five different soils. The soils varied in their organic matter source and content due to prolonged irrigation with primary treated sewage effluent or untreated industrial wastewater. the distribution coefficients (Kd) were measured at different equilibrium times namely, 2, 24, 48, 72, 144 and 336 h. statistical correlation and curve fittings indicated that metal sorption into soils was influenced by the presence of clays, organic matter content and hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn. The highest log Kd values were obtained in case of Cs in all investigated soils with a general mean of 1.878+ 0.28. Log Kd for Cr exhibited a higher values than those did for at any tested soil (general mean 1.675+0 .33 and 1.658+0.24 for Cr and Co respectively). Zinc had the lowest log Kd values, indicating that Cs is highly retained in soil than other tested...
The Environmental impact of industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes on heavy metals sediment... more The Environmental impact of industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes on heavy metals sediment content in Lake Temsah has been investigated. Seven sites were chosen, differ in nature of activity and quantity of wastes, namely from south to north-west; Arab contractors shipyard workshop (A), The junction between the western logon and the lake (B), EI-Temsah Workshop (C), El-Temsah shipyard (private workshop) (D), El-Karakat workshop for SCA (E), El-Forsan drain outfall to the lake (F) and SCA Press outlet (G). Eight of heavy metal concentrations of concern (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cd and Pb) were estimated in sediment samples collected from different chosen sites during the seasons; summer & autumn 1995 and winter & spring 1996. Results of this study reveal that pollution is directly related to the type of the activity in each site. Sediment samples results showed that the most suffering sites were found to be in the order of B> D> O G> F, and the least polluted ones were...
ABSTRACT A trial was made to study the use of different plant species to extract heavy metals out... more ABSTRACT A trial was made to study the use of different plant species to extract heavy metals out of contaminated soils. Four Kg of each air-dried surface soil sample (0-20cm) were packed in plastic containers in three replicates. Five plant species tested in this study namely, Panikum (Panicum antidotal) and napier grass (Bennisetum purpureum), squash (Cucurbita pepo), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), sunflower (Helianthus annuus); were grown on two different polluted soil types (Mostorud Clayey soil, irrigated with contaminated water for more than 30 years and El-Gabal EL-Asfar sandyloam soil, subjected to sewage effluent irrigation for more than 50 years) in a complete randomized block experimental design to study the mobility and fate of selected heavy metals and evaluate the efficiency of the tested plant species to extract Cadmium and Zinc out of polluted soils. Data indicated that sunflower and cotton shoots accumulated the highest Cd content among the five tested plant species, ...
This review paper discusses NORM wastes generated from oil and gas production. Because the extrac... more This review paper discusses NORM wastes generated from oil and gas production. Because the extraction process concentrates the naturally occurring radionuclides and exposes them to the surface environment and human contact, these wastes are classified as TENORM. While uranium and thorium are not soluble in processing water, their radioactive decay product, radium, and some of its decay products are somewhat soluble. Radium and its decay products may dissolve in the brine. They may remain in solution or settle out to form sludges, which accumulate in tanks and pits, or mineral scales. In gas processing activities, NORM generally occurs as radon gas in the natural gas stream. Radon decays to Lead-210, then to Bismuth-210, Polonium-210, and finally to stable Lead-206. Radon decay elements occur as a film on the inner surface of inlet lines, treating units, pumps, and valves principally associated with propylene, ethane, and propane processing streams. According to OSHA the average radi...
Journal of environmental sciences (China), 2002
Thirty-two surface (0-20 cm) soil samples were collected from different locations in Egypt repres... more Thirty-two surface (0-20 cm) soil samples were collected from different locations in Egypt representing non-polluted, moderately and highly polluted soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate total Zn content in alluvial soils of Nile Delta in Egypt by using the delayed neutron activation analysis technique (DNAA), in the irradiation facilities of the first Egyptian research reactor (ET-RR-1). The gamma-ray spectra were recorded with a hyper pure germanium detection system. The well resolved gamma-ray peak at 1116.0 keV was efficiently used for 65Zn content determination. Zn content in non-polluted soil samples ranged between 74.1 and 103.8 ppm with an average of 98.5 +/- 5.1 ppm. Zn content in moderately polluted soils ranged between 136.0 and 232.5 ppm with an average of 180.1 +/- 32.6 ppm. The highest Zn levels ranging from 240.0 and 733.0 ppm with an average of 410.3 +/- 54.4 ppm, were observed in soil samples collected from, either highly polluted agricultural soils exposed t...
International Journal of Environmental Studies, 1991
Red clover (Trifolium partense L.) dry matter and tolerance index (Ti) responses to increasing ni... more Red clover (Trifolium partense L.) dry matter and tolerance index (Ti) responses to increasing nickel level varied with soil texture. In general, a reduction in dry matter was observed at Ni levels above 50 mg/kg for sandy loam and loamy soils, and above 10 mg/kg for sandy soil. However, Ni concentration in clover tops increased linearly as applied Ni level
Journal of Environmental Sciences(China), 2003
Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic conve... more Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic converters, and paint pigments. Thus the potential for Co releases into the environment is highly increased. Use of waste sludges and sewage effluent to fertilize and irrigate soils has also increased soil Co concentrations. Total cobalt contents of alluvial delta soil of Egypt show considerable variation ranging from 13.1 to 64.7 ppm. The impact of either wastewater irrigation or industrial activities on soil total Co was obvious due to accumulation of organic matter and solid waste in the surface soil samples. Food crops and vegetables should not be grown on soil highly contaminated by Co. It is noteworthy that the delayed neutron activation analysis (DNAA) technique could be used successfully for total Co determination due to its high sensitivity. It is quit clearly that dust samples of Cairo City contains higher Co level, as compared to Suez Canal Region (Ismailia, Port Said an El-Sues cities). The high values in Cairo City may be due to the existence of industries around the city and the intensive traffic. To minimize Co environmental hazards, waste effluents should be treated on site. Thus, levels of potentially toxic Co needs to be continuously monitored and should be removed during several treatment processes before the disposal of these wastes.
Journal of Environmental Sciences(China), 2003
Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic conve... more Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic converters, and paint pigments. Thus the potential for Co releases into the environment is highly increased. Use of waste sludges and sewage effluent to fertilize and irrigate soils has also increased soil Co concentrations. Total cobalt contents of alluvial delta soil of Egypt show considerable variation ranging from 13.1 to 64.7 ppm. The impact of either wastewater irrigation or industrial activities on soil total Co was obvious due to accumulation of organic matter and solid waste in the surface soil samples. Food crops and vegetables should not be grown on soil highly contaminated by Co. It is noteworthy that the delayed neutron activation analysis (DNAA) technique could be used successfully for total Co determination due to its high sensitivity. It is quit clearly that dust samples of Cairo City contains higher Co level, as compared to Suez Canal Region (Ismailia, Port Said an El-Sues cities). The high values in Cairo City may be due to the existence of industries around the city and the intensive traffic. To minimize Co environmental hazards, waste effluents should be treated on site. Thus, levels of potentially toxic Co needs to be continuously monitored and should be removed during several treatment processes before the disposal of these wastes.
Advance in Agriculture and Biology
In this study Ni species were determined using a sequential extraction technique. The method cons... more In this study Ni species were determined using a sequential extraction technique. The method consists of sequential extraction of the soil with different solutions, and it is designed to separate into six operationally defined fractions namely water soluble, exchangeable, carbonate bound, Fe-Mn oxides bound, organic bound and residual fractions. The objectives of this study were to investigate nickel forms in tested soils and to determine the effect of industrial wastewater effluent irrigation on the metal fractions in soil. Data showed a remarkable increase in all tested Ni-forms in polluted soil. It could be concluded that soil composition has been changed with depth. Especially under such condition whereas, metal soluble organic compounds found in wastewater may precipitate and percolates through soil and may transport soluble Ni with the soil solution. Introduction The content of both total and available Ni in soil is affected by different activities affecting the soil environment. Metal contaminants in soil environments derived from applications of industrial wastewater have clearly established the need for research on bioavailability and potential health risks. Alloway, (1995) reported that Ni recently has become a serious pollutant that is released in the emissions from metal processing operations and from the increasing combustion of coal and oil. Also application of sludge and certain phosphate fertilizers may be important sources of Ni in soils.
A soil-column experiment was conducted to study the movement and distribution of added labled sel... more A soil-column experiment was conducted to study the movement and distribution of added labled selenium (75 Se) in three different soils of Egypt, namely sandy (pH 7.2), calcareous (sandy loam, pH 8.1), and alluvial (clay loam, pH 7.8). The greatest amount of Se leached was in the sandy soul and the least in the alluvial one. The “difficulty” available form of Se retained in both the alluvial and calcareous soils was greater than each of the “potentially” and “readily” available forms. The opposite was true for the sandy soil. Regardless of soil effect, there was a slight increase in the readily available form with soil depth. In contrast, the amounts of “potentially” and “difficulty” available Se decreased after few centimeters from the surface in the sandy and calcareous soils. The difficulty available Se form increased sharply after the third centimeter downward in the alluvial soil. The A-value method was used to evaluate the element uptake by Sudan grass “Sorghum sudanense” and the percentage utilization of applied Se. Selenium was more effective in sandy soil
The use of wastewater in agriculture is of supreme importance in arid and semiarid countries. In ... more The use of wastewater in agriculture is of supreme importance in arid and semiarid countries. In such countries water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource, and planners are forced to consider any source of water that might be used economically and effectively to promote further development. At the same time, with population expanding at a high rate, the need for increasing food production is apparent. Whenever good quality water is scarce, water of marginal quality will have to be considered for use in agriculture. However, marginal quality water requires more complex management practices and more stringent monitoring procedures to avoid the possibly hazardous effects of the discharge of industrial effluents to public sewers or water in which people bathe. The principal health hazards associated with the chemical constituents of wastewaters arise from the contamination of soils, crops, and/or groundwaters. Of particular concern are cumulative poisons, such as heavy metals, an...