The Potential of Heavy Metals Contamination in the Surface Sediments of River Nile, Egypt

Abstract

Electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter, carbonates and five heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb) were measured seasonally in the sediments of River Nile (Egypt) during 2015. Ten sectors include 30 sites were selected along River Nile from Aswan to Armant to assess the levels of the studied parameters. Heavy metals in sediments were in the order of Pb < Cu < Zn < Mn < Fe, which indicated that Pb was found to be the least concentration in sediments, whereas Fe was the most accumulated element. Pearson’s correlation coefficients among the measured parameters were tested. Zn, Cu and Pb were positively correlated with electrical conductivity and organic matter accumulation and also they were positively correlated with each other. Sediments pollution load was studied through pollution indices [geo-accumulation index, pollution load index, modified degree of contamination, contamination factor and enrichment factor]. The pollution indices confirmed that the River Nile sediments in the studied area were not contaminated with these heavy metals except for some samples collected from certain sites as a result of the anthropogenic activities at these sites.