Natural radioactivity and groundwater quality assessment in the northern area of the Western Desert of Egypt
| Autor: | Ahmed Gad, Fares M. Howari, Ashraf R. Baghdady, Mohamed M. Yehia, Samir Awad |
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| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
Hydrology
Irrigation 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Radiation hazard lcsh:QE1-996.5 Deserts oasis 010501 environmental sciences 01 natural sciences lcsh:Geology Water quality Drainage system (geomorphology) Facies Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous) Toxic metals lcsh:GB3-5030 lcsh:Physical geography Chemical composition Dissolution Groundwater assessment Natural radioactivity Geology Groundwater 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Water Science and Technology |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, Vol 12, Iss C, Pp 331-344 (2017) |
| ISSN: | 2214-5818 |
| Popis: | The chemical composition and natural radioactivity of the northern area of the western desert groundwater were determined to evaluate hydrogeochemical facies and assess groundwater quality for different uses. Many the groundwater samples belong to the Na + - Cl − , Na 2 SO 4 − type, followed by Ca 2+ - Mg 2+ - Cl − type. Only a few samples are of the Na + - HCO 3 − type. The spatial distributions of the major ions describe similar anomalies, with the highest concentrations found at the extreme northeastern margin of the oasis, as well as in its northern and northwestern parts. Fe is the most abundant toxic metal, followed by Cu and Mn. Anomalies of Cr, Ni and Zn are also detected. Rock/water interactions strongly affect the chemical composition of the groundwater. Dissolution and cation exchange are the main processes controlling the hydrogeochemistry. Most of the irrigation groundwater problems in the study area may be resolved using an effective drainage system. The estimated total annual dose due to ingestion of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in groundwater samples reveals that the groundwater is safe for human consumption. However, the toxic metal content of the Bahariya groundwater exceeds the permissible levels for both irrigation and consumption, and the water must be filtered through suitable membranes to exclude these toxic metals. Regular monitoring of the quality of this water for drinking is strictly required. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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