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Inland saline lakes of Wadi El Natrun depression, Egypt

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International Journal of Salt Lake Research

Abstract

The morphology and geochemistry of saline lakes in the Wadi El Natrun depression were studied. All lakes had pH values of 8.5--9.5 and a salinity from 283 to 540 g/L. The main ionic components were sulphate, chloride, carbonate and sodium. Traces of magnesium were also present. The water of the lakes is of the Cl− to SO 2−4 -Cl− type. Increased Cl− in Wadi El Natrun brines can increase metal solubility due to the formation of soluble chloro-complexes of trace elements. The metal concentrations decrease in the order: Pb > Cu > Cd > Ni > Zn > Fe > Mn. The characteristics of Wadi El Natrun saline lakes are compared with those from other saline lakes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, Geology Department, Cairo University, Egypt; and

    Amany G. Taher

  2. Cairo University Centre of Environmental Hazard Mitigation, Egypt (e-mail

    Amany G. Taher

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  1. Amany G. Taher
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Taher, A.G. Inland saline lakes of Wadi El Natrun depression, Egypt. International Journal of Salt Lake Research 8, 149–170 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009027813903

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009027813903