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Geochemical mobilization of some heavy metals in water resources and their impact on human health in Sohag Governorate, Egypt

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Abstract

Geochemical mobilization of heavy metals in water has been cited as an important factor in many diseases of Sohag Governorate, Egypt. Forty-two groundwater samples were collected from the Quaternary aquifer and eight samples from surface water of Sohag governorate. The results recorded high contamination with cadmium and lead. Besides, about 50 % of samples are contaminated with iron and manganese at an alert level. All the metals under study exhibited an asymmetric statistical distribution in the investigated area. The study identified positive relationship between contaminated water (surface and groundwater) of Sohag with Cd (r s = 0.43) as well as Pb (r s = 0.21) and renal failure rate (R.F.R. = 26 patients/105 capita). The spatial distribution of these two metals (Cd and Pb) showed that they accumulated in the southern part of Sohag Governorate around Albalina District and in the northwestern part at Gehina District, which have the highest R.F.R. This study highlighted the need for more detailed research to assess the different pollutants and their relation to chronic diseases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Sciences Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

    Ahmed A. Melegy & S. A. Salman

  2. Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

    A. M. Shaban

  3. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

    M. M. Hassaan

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  1. Ahmed A. Melegy
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  2. A. M. Shaban
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  4. S. A. Salman
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Correspondence to Ahmed A. Melegy.

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Melegy, A.A., Shaban, A.M., Hassaan, M.M. et al. Geochemical mobilization of some heavy metals in water resources and their impact on human health in Sohag Governorate, Egypt. Arab J Geosci 7, 4541–4552 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1095-y

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