Spatial and temporal analysis of nitrogen transport and transformation in surface water

Abstract

Water quality in terms of nitrogen transport and transformations in surface water has been presented in both spatial and temporal distributions. The paper is concentrated on the analysis for the Lake Nasser, the main Nile with the two branches, the drains, irrigation canals and rayahs. The spatial variation of the sampled water quality parameters is presented with the comparison to the recommended standard (Law 48/1982). Further temporal analysis considering the previous campaign (September 2000) results is presented. The study concluded that the nitrate problem has been found in the drains where agricultural land is the main source of nitrate in the surface water in Egypt. The research also concluded that the problems of understanding the different relations between the water quality evolution, estimating the effect of river flow and water quality management projects, etc. be solved by analysis of monitoring results and simulation models can have a significant and decisive role. Furthermore, the study indicated that the water quality models are the tools for analyzing, extrapolating and predicting water quality. To reduce groundwater and surface water pollution and control the environmental cost to remove nitrate-nitrogen from water, it is essential to understand fully the nitrate leaching from agricultural fields. Finally, it is recommended to build up a conceptual simplified model for the point-sources locations to be able to propose different scenarios for improving the current state of the river and drains quality conditions.