A review of major and trace elements in Nile River and Western Red Sea sediments: An approach of geochemistry, pollution, and associated hazards

Wael M Badawy; Octavian G Duliu; Hussein El Samman; Atef El-Taher; Marina V Frontasyeva

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109595

A review of major and trace elements in Nile River and Western Red Sea sediments: An approach of geochemistry, pollution, and associated hazards

Appl Radiat Isot. 2021 Apr:170:109595. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109595. Epub 2021 Jan 25.

Authors

Wael M Badawy¹, Octavian G Duliu², Hussein El Samman³, Atef El-Taher⁴, Marina V Frontasyeva⁵

Affiliations

¹ Radiation Protection & Civil Defense Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), 13759, Abu Zaabal, Egypt; Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Str. Joliot-Curie, 6, 141980, Dubna, Moscow Region, Russian Federation.
² University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, Department of Structure of Matter, Earth and Atmospheric Physics and Astrophysics, 405, Atomistilor Str., P.O. Box MG-11, 077125, Magurele, Ilfov, Romania; Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Str. Joliot-Curie, 6, 141980, Dubna, Moscow Region, Russian Federation.
³ Menoufia University, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, Shibin El-koom, Egypt.
⁴ Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit Branch, 71524, Assuit, Egypt. Electronic address: atef_eltaher@hotmail.com.
⁵ Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Str. Joliot-Curie, 6, 141980, Dubna, Moscow Region, Russian Federation.

PMID: 33556692
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109595

Abstract

The present review was conducted to highlight the major and trace elemental composition in surface sediments from the Nile River and Egyptian Red Sea coastal areas in terms of provenance, concentrations, pollution indices, and health hazards. Health hazard due to the exposure to selected elements via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact was calculated. The samples were subjected to neutron activation analysis. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis was employed. Significant amounts of V, Cr, and Zr are observed in Nile sediments. Whereas, considerable concentrations of Br and Ca were found in marine sediments. The concentrations of the other elements are in line with the corresponding values in upper continental crust. The outcomes of the pollution indices show some localized polluted sites (Helwan, Cairo, and Delta) in Nile sediments. Likewise, in Abu Ghusun area in marine ones. Overall, the hazard index of the investigated elements in the Nile and marine sediments for both studied age criteria is higher than the tolerable values (1 × 10^-6 - 1 × 10^-4).

Keywords: Health hazards; Major and trace elements; Pollution; River and marine sediment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Egypt
Fresh Water / chemistry*
Geologic Sediments / chemistry*
Metals, Heavy / analysis
Metals, Heavy / toxicity
Seawater / chemistry*
Trace Elements / analysis*
Trace Elements / toxicity*
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

Metals, Heavy
Trace Elements
Water Pollutants, Chemical