Internal Metal Distribution in Sediment - Pore Water - Water Systems of Bights at Nasser Lake, Egypt
M. E. Soltan
S. M. N. Moalla
M. N. Rashed
E. M. Fawzy
DOI: 10.2190/ES.33.2.e
Abstract
Understanding and controlling the fate of pollutant metals is important to the long-term health of freshwater. This study tracks the distribution of some heavy and major metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Ca, Mg, Na, and K) between sediment - pore water - water system of some bights of Nasser Lake. Sediment and water (surface and bottom) samples were collected from the beginning and the end of three bights at Nasser Lake, Egypt. In all studies, metals were measured using atomic absorption technique, except Na and K which were analyzed by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Water quality variables were monitored at surface and bottom water. Chemical partitioning patterns of metal show decrease in concentrations of measured metals in sediment (in exchangeable fraction), reflect the decrease of pore water contents, wherefore the water body characterize by low metal concentrations. The alkaline pH values of water bights minimize the reflux of metal ions from lake sediment and increase of metals sedimentation rate. The application of Pearson correlation approaches for the interpretation of large data matrix obtained was performed using SPPS statistical package program. Positive correlations arise between different metals in pore waters and lake water suggesting that sediment upper layer served as a metals reservoir from water, but not as an ultimate mechanism to control metal concentrations in the adjacent water. Also these correlations between components give chance to follow the distribution of measured metals between sediment - pore water - water lake system.
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