Assessment the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Water and Sediment in Rosetta Branch, Egypt

Abstract

Water quality of Rosetta Branch may be changed by several factors in the last decades as a result of anthropogenic activities. So, it’s important to study the physicochemical characteristics of both water and sediment in the Rosetta Branch. Two identified sources are the main origin of most pollutants in this branch, namely: El-Rahawy drain and industrial activities in Kafr El-Zayat city. From the data of water quality index (WQI) based on six important parameters (pH, T ˚C, DO, BOD, COD and TP), it indicates that site 2 (from Kom Hamada to Edfina) is more polluted than the other two sites (from El-Qanater El-Khairia to Kom Hamada and from Edfina to Rosetta). The concentrations of heavy metals increase in sites that are more affected by drainage water from different drains. Great efforts are needed and wastewater must be treated before draining it into the River Nile water.