Comparative geochemical assessment of heavy metal pollutants among the Mediterranean Deltaic Lakes sediments (Edku, Burullus and Manzala), Egypt

Abstract

HE NORTHERN coastal-deltaic lakes (Edku, Burullus and Manzala) suffer from serious environmental pollution as they receive agricultural drainage, industrial wastewater as well as domestic wastewaters directly without any treatments. Investigation of heavy metals pollutants in coastal lake sediments shows a wide view about the state of pollution not only in the sediments but also in the water of the lakes. It also helps to carry out environmental assessment studies of these lakes in order to make a better management to control the pollution levels. The variation of concentrations in selected heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) and (Fe) against time has been discussed and compared with average values of selected heavy metals in the present work. Certain contamination indices such as the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), the degree of contamination (DC) and the contamination factor (CF) are used to evaluate the environmental impacts of these lakes. The differences in pollution state among these major deltaic lakes are illustrated and their causes are discussed.