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Groundwater vulnerability and trace element dispersion in the Quaternary aquifers along middle Upper Egypt

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Abstract

Association of trace metal concentrations in water is problematic; however, its information is scarce and sometimes contradicted. This work presents variations in dissolved major constituents and trace element concentrations along the quaternary aquifers located in middle Upper Egypt (Minia and Assiut governorates). A total of 205 groundwater samples from these aquifers were collected. Auxiliary parameters (pH, alkalinity, and conductivity), major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+), dominant anions (HCO3−, SO42−, Cl−, and NO3−), and trace element (B, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr) concentrations were measured in all samples. Univariate (correlation coefficient and scatter matrix) analysis was employed combined with multivariate (principal coordinates analysis) analysis to identify the chemical characteristics of groundwater that are responsible for generating most of the variability within the dataset. Also, hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to classify the geochemical origin of the groundwater constituents. The results indicate that the groundwater pollution is mainly due to water–rock interactions, including aquifer matrix dissolution, redox reaction of trace metals, input from wastewater, and agricultural fertilizers.

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Acknowledgment

Many thanks are due to Dr. Julian O’Dea Director (retired), Chemical Review, Australian Department of Health for editorial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Egyptian Petroleum Sector, Petrotrade Co, 1 Anwar Al Moftty St. Abbas El Akkad St., Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt

    Moustafa Gamal Snousy

  2. Department of Mines and Quarry, Minia, Minia Governorate, Egypt

    Mamdouh S. Morsi

  3. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt

    Ashraf M.T. Elewa, Soha Abd El-fattah Ahmed & E. El-Sayed

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  1. Moustafa Gamal Snousy
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  2. Mamdouh S. Morsi
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  3. Ashraf M.T. Elewa
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  5. E. El-Sayed
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Correspondence to Moustafa Gamal Snousy.

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Snousy, M.G., Morsi, M.S., Elewa, A.M. et al. Groundwater vulnerability and trace element dispersion in the Quaternary aquifers along middle Upper Egypt. Environ Monit Assess 192, 174 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-8109-5

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