Evaluation of heavy metals accumulation risks in water of the Qalubiya drain in East Delta, Egypt

One of the most severe issues in aquatic environments is heavy metal pollution. Fe, Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Cr, and Hg metal concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) in 24 water samples (18 surface water samples from the Qalubiya drain and 6 groundwater samples from the Quaternary aquifer system). The monitoring and sampling program are carried out during the September 2018 to January 2019. Consequently, the physico-chemical parameters as temperature, pH, and the total dissolved solids were determined. Most of the concentrations of the studied heavy metals in water samples are less than the environmental protection agency standards limit, except for Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Hg. The results indicated that the highest concentrations of heavy metals were presented in the southwestern and the middle parts of the Qalubiya drain (Minia Al-qamh and Banha region). This could be attributed to the geographic location of these sampling sites at the downstream portion of the drain. The field observations revealed multiple sources of pollutants such as sewage stations that flow directly into the drainage water. In addition, emptying the scavenging cars that they carry from the wastewater into the drain water and the presence of garbage in some areas along the drain was noticed. As well as, industrial, agricultural and municipal wastes coming through the drains. © 2021, Saudi Society for Geosciences.