Trace element occurrence and distribution problems in the irrigation water at El Minia district north upper Egypt (original) (raw)
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Trace elements speciation and sources characterization in the main watercourses, middle-upper Egypt
Water contamination by mutagenic microchemicals is a worldwide problem. To evaluate the overall water quality and identify the source( s) of pollutants (B, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr) in different watercourses in middle-upper Egypt, we analyzed 66 surface water samples collected from the significant waterways. In addition to trace pollutants, 15 physicochemical parameters (pH, Temperature, EC, alkalinity, DO, BOD, COD, Ca2þ, Mg2þ, Naþ, Kþ, HCO3 -, SO42-, Cl- , and NO3 -) were measured. Multivariate statistical approaches such as exploratory principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and correlation matrix analysis were applied to explore the sources of the contaminants. Data reveal that surface water quality in the investigated area is threatened by high concentrations of trace elements, which are higher than the permissible limits recommended by WHO guidelines and Egyptian standards for drinking water and irrigation purposes. Statistical analyses suggest that surface water contamination is the result of interference of natural (geogenic related to rock–water interaction) and human (interrelated to agrogenic and domestic sewage) inputs. The study will help decision- makers to take appropriate actions for freshwater sustainable management and protection. Moreover, surface water should be treated before use for drinking purposes.
Applied Geochemistry, 2007
Concentrations of total and dissolved elements were determined in 35 water samples collected from rivers in Sardinia, a Mediterranean island in Italy. The overall composition did not change for waters sampled in both winter and summer (i.e., January at high-flow condition and June at low-flow condition), but the salinity and concentrations of the major ions increased in summer. Concentrations of elements such as Li, B, Mn, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ba and U were higher in summer with only small differences between total and dissolved (i.e., in the fraction <0.4 lm) concentrations. The fact that these elements are mostly dissolved during low flow periods appears to be related to the intensity of water-rock interaction processes that are enhanced when the contribution of rainwater to the rivers is low, that is during low-flow conditions. In contrast, the concentrations of Al and Fe were higher in winter during high flow with total concentrations significantly higher than dissolved concentrations, indicating that the total amount depends on the amount of suspended matter. In waters filtered through 0.015 lm pore-size filters, the concentrations of Al and Fe were much lower than in waters filtered through 0.4 lm pore-size filters, indicating that the dissolved fraction comprises very fine particles or colloids. Also, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were generally higher in waters collected during the high-flow condition, with much lower concentrations in 0.015 lm pore-size filtered waters; this suggests aqueous transport via adsorption onto very fine particles. The rare earth elements (REE) and Th dissolved in the river waters display a wide range in concentrations ( P REE: 0.1-23 lg/L; Th: <0.005-0.58 lg/L). Higher REE and Th concentrations occurred at high flow. The positive correlation between P REE and Fe suggests that the REE are associated with very fine particles (>0.015 and <0.4 lm); the abundance of these particles in the river controls the partitioning of REE between solution and solid phases.
Chemical Speciation of Heavy Metals in Ground and Surface Waters
The 2008 Annual Meeting, 2008
Metal speciation in natural waters is of increasing interest and importance because of toxicity, bioavailability, and environmental mobility. Biogeochemical behavior and potential risk in general are strongly dependent on the chemical species of metals. The present study aims to determine the distribution of chemical species of dissolved heavy metals in shallow and deep aquifers and surface waters from Buddha nala stream and Sutlej River of Punjab, north-west India. Attempt was also made to identify different possible minerals that may control the solubility of elements in these aqueous solutions. The study was performed at village Walipur in Ludhiana ( 30 0 55 / N, 75 0 54 / E) district of Punjab, north-west India, where Buddha nala surface water stream loaded with heavy metals from municipal waste and Industrial effluents contaminate underground water. A sutlej River also flowed a couple of Km from the village site. Ground water samples were collected at four different occasions from the same sites of shallow aquifer (45 feet deep) and deep aquifer (200 feet deep) by the already installed hand pump and tube well adjacent to Buddha nala stream. Before sampling the water was drawn for half an hour to empty the hand pump and tube well pipes in order to collect the fresh water from the shallow and deep aquifers, respectively. Surface water samples on four different occasions were also taken from Buddha nala stream and Sutlej River. Polyethylene bottles of 50 ml volumes were used for collection of water samples. These bottles were repeatedly washed with the water to be sampled. Bottles were fully filled with water and closed avoiding air bubbles. Field measurements of redox potential (Eh) were also made at the time of water sampling. The redox meter checked with Zobell's solution several times during the investigation period. Water samples were taken from each location and brought back to Laboratory at Punjab Agricultural University for further analyses. The samples were put in a cooled ice box during transportation and stored in refrigerator until analysis (at 5 0 C). The pH of water samples was determined using Elico model L 110 glass electrode in combination with calomel as reference electrode on pH meter. The electrical conductivity of water samples was measured by Elico model CM-84 Conductivity Bridge. The carbonates and bicarbonates concentrations were measured by titration a known volume of water against standard sulfuric acid using phenolphthalein and methyl red as indicators respectively. The chloride concentration in water samples were measured by titrating with a known volume against standard N/40 silver nitrate solution using potassium chromate as indicator. All samples were filtered and acidified prior to analysis. The acidified water samples were analyzed for Cadmium, Nickel, Lead, Zinc, copper, Iron, Manganese and sulfur on Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma of Thermo Electron corporation iCAP 6000 series. Mean of Metals and dominant anions composition of waters determined after four occasions for different sites are listed in . The higher concentration of Cd, Cu,Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb in waste water of Buddha nala stream must be due to disposal of Industrial effluents. The ionic strength of waste water was also three times more than other water sources. Comparatively high concentration of Zinc (16.10 uM) was measured in water of shallow aquifer than water of deep aquifer and surface water of Buddha nala stream and Sutlej River. The geochemical speciation model Visual MINTEQA2 Version 3.11 was used to calculate the equilibrium concentrations of dissolved species for four solutions, representing the range of water compositions encountered in the shallow and deep aquifers as well as in surface waters of Buddha nala
Environmental Processes, 2018
This study aims to assess the effect of metal pollution in different components of the three interconnected ecosystems in Jamshedpur city. Overlying water and capillary water in the sediment of Dimna Lake, Dimna canal and Subarnarekha River was examined to determine the diffusive fluxes. The depth profile of capillary water suggests that element profile is not proportional to the element concentration in the solid phase of the sediment. This disproportion is governed by several factors such as pH, redox potential, temperature, microbial activities, the presence of other elements and several digenetic processes, which further need to be studied. The quality of sediment was determined by using Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG), Contamination Factors (C f), and the Geo-accumulation Index (I geo). Metal concentrations in the most dominant species, Limnaea stagnalis (mollusc), Labeo bata (fish) and Channa punctatus (fish) were determined and their Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) was calculated. Among the three studied aquatic species, L. stagnalis may be used as potential bio-indicator as the BSAF values of L. stagnalis for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn were found higher in comparison to other fish. The results of diffusive fluxes showed that the sediment acts as the source for diffusion of all metals for the overlying water of the three ecosystems and the diffusive fluxes for As (14.39 μg cm −2 y −1), Cd (5.91 μg cm −2 y −1), Cr (250.72 μg cm −2 y −1), Cu (248.29 μg cm −2 y −1), Pb (28.03 μg cm −2 y −1) and Zn (287.89 μg cm −2 y −1) are comparable with previous research worldwide. SQG, C f and I geo value identify Cd, Pb, and Zn as major pollutants. Hence, from the present study, it can be concluded that the metal pollution is a serious threat to different ecosystems in Jamshedpur which can also affect the biological diversity.
The Biogeochemical Behavior of Heavy Metals in the Aquatic Environment and their Effects on Health
Mediterranean journal of basic and applied sciences, 2022
The term heavy metals is general and is used for a large group of elements, metals and metalloids, with a density greater than 6 [1] or 5 g/cm 3 [2]. Certain metals, such as iron and aluminum are naturally present in coastal water systems in high relative concentrations, while others are particularly rare and usually found in low concentrations such as mercury, cadmium, selenium, etc. These metals are called trace elements or even micro-nutrients (as their presence is important for the growth of plant and animal organisms). Various metals such as mercury and lead can be highly toxic in high concentrations, significantly affecting the biological processes of organisms. Human activities increase concentrations of heavy metals above their natural levels. Industrial and municipal wastes, agricultural residues, fine sediments, erosion products, atmospheric precipitation, ship paints, mine by-products, etc. are sources of heavy metals originating from human activities [3], [4], [5]. In particular the term heavy metals is applied to the elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn, which are related to pollution and toxicity problems. An alternative and more accepted term for these elements is trace metals, but is less commonly used [6]. Unlike organic pollutants, heavy metals are found in the minerals that make up rocks and thus have natural background concentrations in soils, sediments, water and living organisms. Metal pollution results in concentrations much higher than natural background levels. So, the presence of metals in an environmental compartment is not sufficient evidence of pollution, but the relationship of existing concentrations to background concentrations must be considered [1], [6]. Water is the medium that contributes to the disintegration of land and the transport of metals. During the transport of metals, environmental changes affect their distribution between the soluble and particulate phases. After being
Chemical Species of Metallic Elements in the Aquatic Environment of anEx-Mining Catchment
Water Environment Research, 2014
This study was conducted to investigate the chemical speciation of dissolved and particulate elements (lead, zinc, copper, chromium, arsenic, and tin) in the mining wastewater of a former tinmining catchment. The speciation patterns of dissolved elements were estimated by an adsorptive stripping voltammeter (ASV), while particulate elements were analyzed by using a newly developed sequential-extraction leaching procedure. The procedure has been operationally defined among five host fractions, namely exchangeable, carbonate, reducible, organic bound, and residual fractions. A total of six elements (lead, zinc, copper, chromium, arsenic, and tin) were analyzed in thirty samples at ten locations (P1-P10), with three samples taken from each of the ten locations, to get the average value from the former tin-mining catchment. The results showed that the heavy metal pollutions in locations P4 and P8 were more severe than in other sampling sites, especially tin and lead pollution. In the water samples from locations P4 and P8, both the total contents and the most dangerous non-residual fractions of tin and lead were extremely high. More than 90% of the total concentrations of arsenic and chromium existed in the residual fraction. Concentrations of copper and zinc mainly occurred in the residual fraction (more than 60%), while lead and tin presented mostly in the non-residual fractions in surface water. For all of the six dissolved elements, the less-labile species formed the predominant fraction in their speciation patterns. The speciation patterns of particulate elements showed that most of the concentrations of zinc, copper, chromium, and arsenic were found in the reducible fraction; whereas lead and tin were mainly associated with the organic fraction. Water Environ. Res., 86, 717 (2014).
Environmental Science & Technology, 1988
lsorope Geodrrmisrp ar the Sivi.ss Fedrral Institute for Wafer Re.source.s and Wafer Pollution Conrml (EAWAG). He holds a B. S. in applied earth science and M.S. nnd Ph.D. degrees in environtnenral engineering and science from Sranford Unirersin. Before coming lo EAWAG, Honewnari was a visiring srienrisr in rhe School of Oceanography at rhe Universiv of Washingron. Peter H. Santschi (rJ was head of rhe radiology and isotope geochemisrp section of EAWAG and senior lecturer in geochemical oceanography and isotope geochemisrn at the Swiss Federal lnsrirure of Trchnology (ETH) in Zurich. He is now professor of oceanography in the Deparrment of Marine Science. Texas A & M Oniverrit?. at Galveston. His currrnr research focuse.s on radionuclide and rrace-elemenr rycliq in the environment. especially in oceans. lakes, atmosphere. and groundwflrers.
American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2014
The aim of this study was to assess the levels of various trace metals present in water and sediment of fresh water aquatic ecosystem during the post monsoon season. The study was extended to identify the trace metal contamination in the water and sediment samples collected along the shores of Lambapur and Peddagattu the tribal villages in India using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICPMS). The trace metal contents in water samples were copper- 24.2 to 47.5, chromium- 4.4 to 8.2, cadmium- 0.1 to 0.3, lead- 2.1 to 3.8, Nickel- 5.9 to 9.7, Zinc- 4.6 to 9.7, Manganese- 10.8 to 13.2, Iron- 52.9 to 157.2 (µg L −1 ) cobalt and arsenic were in BDL and the values were within the limits of Indian drinking water standards (BIS 10500: 1991). The trace metals concentration in the sediment samples ranged from (mg kg −1 ): Copper- 61.5 to 113.7, chromium- 138.4 to 177.5, cobalt- 33.2 to 42.7, cadmium- 1.0 to 2.1, lead- 57.9 to 103.4, Nickel- 36.1 to 56.6, Zinc- 51.2 t...
Environmental Earth Sciences, 2019
This research determined potential sources of certain trace elements in the surface waters of the Tabriz area in northwestern Iran. In total, 19 samples from surface waters in the Tabriz area, including the Aji-Chay, Ansa-Rood, Basmenj-Chay, Gomanab-Chay, Mehran-Rood and Sinikh-Chay Rivers, and their branches, were collected in December 2016. Samples were measured/analyzed with respect to electrical conductivity (EC), pH, major (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , HCO 3 − , SO 4 2− , Cl −) and minor (NO 3 − , F − , SiO 2) elements, and certain trace elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Al and As). The order of abundance for trace elements was Mn > Fe > Al > Zn > Cr > As > Cd > Pb. Cluster analysis divided the samples into two clusters, and the accuracy of the clustering was determined to be 100% by discriminant analysis. The discriminant analysis introduced Cd and Cr as the best parameters to predict sample grouping. Values of EC and concentrations of the major ions and trace elements such as Cd, Pb, Cr and Al, were greater in cluster 2 than in cluster 1. The high EC and its dependent anions (e.g. SO 4 2− and Cl −) in cluster 2 can be considered as one of the driving factors for their release into surface water by forming SO 4 2− and Cl − complexes with metals. The concentrations of SiO 2 and As were greater in cluster 1 than in cluster 2 due to the impact of the volcanic formations of Sahand Mountain. Factor analysis identified four factors, which cumulatively explained 80.1% of the variance of the hydrochemistry of the surface water, and which were related to both natural and anthropogenic processes.
Chemosphere, 178, 173-186 (co-authors M.A. Álvarez-Vázquez, R. Prego, M. Caetano, M. Doval, S. Calvo, C. Vale), 2017
Trace element contributions from small rivers to estuaries is an issue barely addressed in the literature. In this work, freshwater flowing into the Ria of Cedeira (NW Iberian Peninsula) was studied during a hydrological year through the input from three rivers, one considered uncontaminated (the Das-Mestas River), a second affected by urban treated wastewater discharges (theCondomiñas River), and the third containing a water reservoir for urban supply (the Forcadas River). With the objective of assessing the possible influence of human pressure, the annual yields for selected trace elements (Al, Fe, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni and Pb) were estimated and compared by normalizing by basin surface. Both dissolved and particulate transported elements were considered. After the data treatment and analysis it can be highlighted that: (i) the Das Mestas River is suitable to be included between the short European pristine baseline of small rivers, at least regarding the transported trace elements; (ii) natural enrichments were identified associated to the lithology of the basin in the Das-Mestas River (i.e. As) and in the Condomiñas River (i.e. Co, Cr and Ni); this fact highlights the importance of considering the local background for a proper assessment; (iii) the impoundment in the Forcadas River is related with a general decrease, even depletion, of the particulate and dissolved transported trace elements, except Mn; (iv) the discharge of sewage to the Condomi~nas River is increasing the inputs to the ria of some trace elements in the particulate phase (i.e. Al, Cu and Pb). Both observed human-induced changes can be regarded as typical disturbances of trace element contributions from small rivers to estuaries.