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Area reduction and trace element pollution in Nile Delta wetland ecosystems

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The three main Nile Delta wetland ecosystems, Manzala, Burullus and Edku lagoons, are among the most ecologically important and productive habitats in Egypt. We studied the area degradation and the… Click to show full abstract

The three main Nile Delta wetland ecosystems, Manzala, Burullus and Edku lagoons, are among the most ecologically important and productive habitats in Egypt. We studied the area degradation and the human health risks associated with trace metal accumulation in Tilapia zillii harvested from these lakes. The area of Manzala lagoon has shrunken from about 3035 km2 in 1800 to about 288 km2 in 2015, the area of Edku has shrunken from about 336 km2 in 1824 to about 18 km2 in 2014, and the area of Burullus has shrunken from about 1116 km2 in 1949 to about 546 km2 in 2014. This area degradation is attributed to drying for housing, land reclamation and fish farming. As a result, the concentration of pollutants and nutrients has subsequently increased, and large parts of the lakes have been overgrown with aquatic vegetation, which increased the rate of degradation and land transformation. Metal pollution was detected in water, sediment and edible fish harvested from the lakes. The hazard index, an indicator of human health risks associated with fish consumption, showed adverse health effects of zinc and lead metals for habitual fish consumers. The impact of the high dam on the lakes was discussed. Resume Les trois principaux ecosystemes humides du delta du Nil, Manzala, Burullus et Edku, comptent parmi les habitats les plus productifs et les plus importants au point de vue ecologique en Egypte. Nous avons etudie la degradation de la region et les risques pour la sante humaine associes a l'accumulation de traces de metaux dans les Tilapia zillii peches dans ces lacs. La zone du lagon de Manzala s'est reduite de 3 035 km² en 1800 a quelque 288 km² en 2014, Edku est passe d'environ 336 km² en 1824 a pres de 18 km² en 2014 et Burullus s'est reduit d'environ 1116 km² en 1949 a pres de 546 km² en 2014. La degradation de cette region est attribuee a l'assechement pour la construction de maisons, a la recuperation de terres et aux fermes piscicoles. Suite a cela, la concentration de polluants et de nutriments a augmente, et de grandes portions des lacs ont ete envahies par une vegetation aquatique qui a augmente le taux de degradation et la transformation des sols. On a detecte une pollution par des metaux dans l'eau, les sediments et les poissons comestibles recoltes dans les lacs. L'Indice de risque (HI), un indicateur des risques sanitaires humains lies a la consommation du poisson, a montre des effets negatifs du zinc et du plomb sur la sante des consommateurs habituels de poisson. Nous discutons des effets du barrage sur les lacs.

Keywords: degradation; pollution; delta wetland; area; km2; nile delta

Journal Title: African Journal of Ecology
Year Published: 2017

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