MONITORING OF HEAVY METALS CONTAMINATION IN DRINKING GROUNDWATER FROM EGYPT

摘要

The present work aims to assess the groundwater quality, which is already used as the main water resource for drinking in Abu Tisht area, Qena, Egypt. The results indicate that the groundwater that is still used for drinking purposes are not suitable in most locations, where the Fe, Mn, Cd and Zn exceeded the maximum contaminant limit of both the WHO and EPA standards. The concentrations of most pollutant heavy metals are increasing by time in different places, while the others are not clear, indicate irregular change in sources of water contamination. The results revealed that most of pH, Cl~-, SO_4~(2-)_, NO_3~-, NO_2~(2-), NH_3 and TDS are less than the acceptable limits, while the other are unsuitable. The sources of groundwater contamination come from the wastewater, excessive use of fertilizers in agriculture activities, and groundwater recharge from near and/or deep aquifer. It is strongly recommended to stop pumping from the high heavy metals concentrations wells and search or replace for new water resources for drinking. The excess use of heavy metals-polluted groundwater can cause many problems in humans, and so it must be treated.