Quality of River Nile Sediments from Idfo to Cairo

Abstract

"Ten sediment samples from the main channel of River Nile beside four from the banks were collected seasonally from Idfo to Cairo during autumn 2000 to summer 2001. The present study focuses on the levels of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb and Cd) beside major cations (Na, K, Ca and Mg) in River Nile sediments and the correlations between metal concentrations, sediment particle size, carbonate and organic matter contents. The sediment samples were also analyzed for the exchangeable nutrient groups. The study revealed that the sand comprised more than 80% of the studied Nile sediment. The exchangeable nutrient showed irregular seasonal trends and the exchangeable phosphate (3.79-18.31 μg/g) recorded low levels compared with nitrate (2.4-52.28 μg/g) and ammonia (27.90-595.5 μg/g). The Nile sediments are slightly enriched with the major cations and the elevated concentrations of heavy metals are often associated with the industrial pollution. Iron and manganese oxides beside organic matter seem to be the principal carrier phases for most studied heavy metals. Comparison of studied metals to freshwater sediment quality guidelines was cited and discussed."