Scholarlink

<p>Qarun Lake is a large, shallow, and highly productive inland saline lake, located in the Faiyum Depression, Egypt. The lake currently suffers from elevated heavy metal (HM) concentrations due to increased anthropogenic activities, with agricultural and domestic wastewater discharges through various artificial drains; Al Wadi in the south and El Bats in the east are the most significant drains. This study examines the spatial distribution, and pollution levels of Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, and Cd in 38 bottom sediment samples from Qarun Lake. Statistical analysis, along with various geochemical and human health risk indices, have been utilized to ascertain the eco-environmental threats of HMs in the lake. Accordingly, the spatial distribution of HMs in the lake is subdivided into two sectors on either side of Al Wadi drain: the western one with relatively low concentrations and the eastern one with the highest concentrations. The values of environmental indices rendered ecological threats influencing the lake ecosystem. The human health risk indices show that the non-carcinogenic risks via ingestion in children are higher than in adults, whereas the carcinogenic risks of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni through ingestion, and Pb and Ni via dermal contact are greater in adults than in children. In contrast, the carcinogenic risks of Cd, Ni, and Cr via inhalation are greater in children than in adults. The findings of this study should alarm decision-makers to adopt effective pollution mitigation and management strategies to protect the Qarun Lake environment from excessive deterioration.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>The figure depicts the environmental challenges surrounding Qarun Lake, particularly its sources, pathways, and impacts of heavy metal contamination (HMs). It illustrates the major contributing factors, including urban runoff, agricultural drains, and domestic waste, that serve as pathways for pollutants to the lake. The southern shore of the lake suffers from the intensive occurrence of anthropogenic activities and agricultural runoff than the northern shore. It shows the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plants, animals, and fish and how this impacts human health through inhalation and food consumption. Parasite colonies and lakebed contaminants threaten the southern shore, the two main elements influencing the Qarun Lake sustainability.</p> <p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Heavy Metals in Bottom Sediments of Qarun Lake, Faiyum, Egypt: Spatial Distribution, Sources and Ecological Risk Assessment

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年5月8日

查看全文
  • Mohammed H. Aljahdali,
  • Ramadan M. El-Kahawy,
  • Ibrahim M. Ghandour,
  • Brian G. Jones,
  • Andrew N. Quicksall,
  • Rashad A. Bantan,
  • Ramadan H. Abu-Zied,
  • Mohamed Mabrouk

摘要

Qarun Lake is a large, shallow, and highly productive inland saline lake, located in the Faiyum Depression, Egypt. The lake currently suffers from elevated heavy metal (HM) concentrations due to increased anthropogenic activities, with agricultural and domestic wastewater discharges through various artificial drains; Al Wadi in the south and El Bats in the east are the most significant drains. This study examines the spatial distribution, and pollution levels of Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, and Cd in 38 bottom sediment samples from Qarun Lake. Statistical analysis, along with various geochemical and human health risk indices, have been utilized to ascertain the eco-environmental threats of HMs in the lake. Accordingly, the spatial distribution of HMs in the lake is subdivided into two sectors on either side of Al Wadi drain: the western one with relatively low concentrations and the eastern one with the highest concentrations. The values of environmental indices rendered ecological threats influencing the lake ecosystem. The human health risk indices show that the non-carcinogenic risks via ingestion in children are higher than in adults, whereas the carcinogenic risks of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni through ingestion, and Pb and Ni via dermal contact are greater in adults than in children. In contrast, the carcinogenic risks of Cd, Ni, and Cr via inhalation are greater in children than in adults. The findings of this study should alarm decision-makers to adopt effective pollution mitigation and management strategies to protect the Qarun Lake environment from excessive deterioration.

Graphical Abstract

The figure depicts the environmental challenges surrounding Qarun Lake, particularly its sources, pathways, and impacts of heavy metal contamination (HMs). It illustrates the major contributing factors, including urban runoff, agricultural drains, and domestic waste, that serve as pathways for pollutants to the lake. The southern shore of the lake suffers from the intensive occurrence of anthropogenic activities and agricultural runoff than the northern shore. It shows the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plants, animals, and fish and how this impacts human health through inhalation and food consumption. Parasite colonies and lakebed contaminants threaten the southern shore, the two main elements influencing the Qarun Lake sustainability.