A survey on the quality of fresh water used in some aquaculture and agricultural Egyptian areas and its impact on soil

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Water quality is an important factor that impacts all kinds of life on earth. The present work is a survey of water quality in different Egyptian agricultural areas. Water samples were collected from two sites in Al-Dakahlia governorate (Kafr Bahia “site1” and Meit Mohsen “site2”) and one site in Alexandria governorate (Al-Amereya “site3”). Samples were analyzed to determine some physiochemical properties as well as the concentration of some important anions, cations, and heavy metals.  The analysis results revealed that the electric conductivity of water ranged from 0.438 in “site 2” to 0.626 dS/min “site3”. Also, the total dissolved solids values ranged from 275 to 394 mg/l in “site2” and “site3”, respectively.  Data showed that the levels of almost all anions and cations in the water samples were in the ranges set by FAO for irrigation water, the exceptions were nitrates (NO3-) in site2, ammonia (NH4+) in sites 2 and 3, potassium (K+) in sites 1 and 3 and magnesium (Mg2+) in site 2. Since water quality and agriculture have many complex interactions, the following parameters were also calculated: Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly's ratio (KR), percentage of sodium (Na %), and Magnesium Ratio.  The SAR value of the water samples varied from 1.33 to 3.61. Kelly's ratio ranged from 0.405 to 1.00. The Mg ratio values in the study sites were <50%. In order to check the impact of water on the nearby soils, the concentrations of elements in the soils from the studied sites were determined and compared to the maximum allowable concentration of elements in soil and the results indicated good soil conditions. In conclusion, the results showed that the water used for irrigation in the studied sites has no levels of contamination and this is also reflected in the surrounding soil. It is recommended to perform monitoring studies regularly to avoid any sudden problems.

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