Abstract
The objectives of this study were to quantify the fresh water quality of Blue Nile River before processing, identify the pollutants, and to determine the most polluted areas, and their impacts on living organisms as well as the surrounding environment. Thus, random water samples were collected and analyzed at the laboratory of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Ground water and Wadis Directorates - Khartoum. The outcomes were compared with the World Health Organization standardization. The results revealed variations in the concentration of the studied elements taken from the different locations. But, the results indicated that the water quality is good, and it is within the permissible water use. However, further study is recommended to include seasonal variation as well as the biological analysis.
Author Contributions
Copyright© 2018
Babiker Gurashi Abu Sabah Rasha, et al.
License
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Introduction
Water is an abundant resource, yet in different regions safe, fresh clean water is critically short supply. The fresh water is considered one of the most vital resources in this planet. If water is polluted; it is not only devastating the environment, but also the human and animal health. Therefore, information on water is vital for monitoring, analyzing, evaluating, maintaining the quality, and sustainable use Blue Nile River in Sudan is of great concern for socio-economic and environmental aspects. Fortunately, its water is, for many of years, had been; and still of good quality for irrigation, domestic, industrial, fishing, bathing uses, and electric power production, therefore, it should be kept clean The physical properties are the color, turbidity, taste, temperature, and odor of water which can be determined by touch, taste, senses and smell. While chemical characteristics. The chemical is determined by the source such as refers to rocks, soil, industrial, etc. Any transformation in the chemical properties affects the water quality causing pollution. The major pollutant are in inorganic minerals, the cations, like calcium [(Ca++), magnesium (Mg++), sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+), (CaCO3) etc.., and anions such like (Cl-), (HCO3-)(NO3-)(SO4--), pH (Alkalinity, and Acidity). While the organic includes parameters includes hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC). Water is said to be polluted; if it is impaired by contaminants so that it does not support a human use (drinking water), or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to support its constituent of biotic communities. Pollution; typically refers to chemicals or other substances in concentrations greater than would occur under natural conditions. Major water pollutants include organic chemicals, nutrients, microbes, heavy metals, sediments, oil and heat which raise the temperature of the receiving water Water pollution occurs when a body of water becomes contaminated either by physical such as plastic, water bottles or rubber tires, or by chemical such as the run-off that finds its way into waterways from factories, cars, sewage treatment facilities. However, despite people have already started taking precautions, the water pollution levels are raising rapidly Several studies on water pollution were carried out in different parts of the world. A researcher, Several factors cause water pollution However, high concentrations of naturally occurring substances like calcium, sodium, iron, and manganese, can have negative impacts on aquatic flora and fauna. Oxygen -depletion has an effect on photosynthesis. Moreover, the anthropogenic activity may cause turbidity (cloudiness) which blocks light, disrupts plant growth, and clogs the gills of some fish species Several studies revealed that alteration of water physical and chemical properties like change in acidity and electrical conductivity, eutrophication and temperature, has negative effect on aquatic living organisms. Similar effect can be produced by thermal if is released from cooling system by power plants and industrial manufacturers, when water temperatures will increase, consequently, oxygen levels will decrease. This can kill fish, alter food chain, reduce species biodiversity, and foster invasion by new thermophilic species Generally, several factors causes river water pollution such as residues, animal waste, garbage toxic materials, including heavy metals such as Lead (pb), Mercury (My), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic etc., biological: Microbial waste carried by water, organic and inorganic pollutants, including plant and animal wastes. Several methods are used for testing water quality, among these: Physical tests; including temperature, solid concentrations e.g., total suspended solids (TSST) and turbidity. It is used to measure the concentration of different chemicals in water samples to be measured. If the concentrations are high, the water is said to be polluted. It isused for both organic and inorganic compounds, including metals like copper, zinc, calcium, lead, mercury, oil, grease, and also nutrients like nitrate, nitrite, phosphorous compounds, pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and hydrocarbons Biological testing; involves the use of plant, animal or microbial indicators to monitor the health of an aquatic ecosystem. The presence of any biological species reveals what degree of ecosystem or environmental integrity is present e.g., fish, insects and small water crustaceans and other invertebrates that present in water bodies. Such organisms can be monitored for changes (biochemical, physiological, or behavioral) indicating the water quality. The quality is said to be very good; if the water supports the living entities, if not, it is said to be poor Studies identifiedtwo main sources of water pollution, these are: the point sources (PS), which refers to contaminants that enter a waterway from identifiable source, like ditch or a pipe e.g., discharges from municipal storm sewage systems, industrial storm water, such as from construction sites a sewage treatment plant, a factory, or a city storm drain
Materials And Methods
This study was carried out along the Blue Nile River; which is located between the latitudes 140-24 ꞌ N 280-33 ꞌ E. and longitudes 150-00ꞌ N, 201- 33ꞌ E, The study area included Arbagi south Al Hessahisa, Abu Furou, Aldiem, Aljadded in Al Geizera State and Al Bageer, and Alack in Khartoum State. The following materials were used: Global Positioning System (GPS), boat, rulers, sterilized glasses and containers, water. In this study, six points were located along the Blue Nile River. The World Health Organization (WHO), water sampling method was adopted. Where, timely; about one liter (1 L) of water sample at the depth of 20 cm was taken by using sterilized bottles from each of the six locations. Water samples were taken from the two beaches (East and West) as well as from the middle of the river. All samples were tightly closed and placed in sterilized containers and immediately sent to the laboratories for Physical, chemical and biological analysis. The samples were analyzed at the laboratory of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources. Ground water and Wadis Directorates-Khartoum and Sudanese Training Centre for Biotechnology- Department of Bacteriology and water analysis- Khartoum. The collected data were analyzed by K2
Results
Locations from where soil samples were taken are presented in the following tables: Results of Biological Analysis Sudanese Training Centre For Biotechnology Department Of Bacteriology Water Analysis Date: 24/12/2012 Community: Rural area Sample side: Blue Nile Place (s): EL Hessahessa, El Gunied, and Al Bagair Source: Blue Nile Sampling: Samples were taken in sterile containers From the above However, based on the guidelines of World Health Organization (WHO), the concentrations of all analyzed elements are low and within the permissible water use. Most analysis of water from different countries showed pollution, while the Blue Nile remains with its quality.
SERNM: 10723
LOCAL: BEFORE EL HESSAHESSA
STATE: GEZIRA
WATER SOURCE
SAM DEP (m):
WATER LEVEL (m)
LOMT.
ANA DATE:…13/12/2012
DISCHARGE (mm3/day)
Discharge (mm3/day).
SAN DATE: 13/12/2012
Physical Properties:
COOR (Pi Co)……N
TURB (FTU)……..0
E COND (µs/cm) …226
D O (ppm) ……..0
TDS………………151.2
TH………………..113
T ALKAL……….128
EX ALKA………66.82
BICARBONATE ALKA…..123
CARBINATE ALKA…0
CHLORIDE…..8,57
FLUORIDE….0.01
NITRATE……2.83
NITRITE…….0.033
AMMONIA ….0
SERNM: 10724
LOCAL: AFTER EL HESSAHESSA
STATE: GEZIRA
WATER SOURCE
SAM DEP (m):
WATER LEVEL (m)
LOMT.
ANA DATE:…13/12/2012
DISCHARGE (mm3/day)
Discharge (mm3/day).
SAN DATE: 13/12/2012
Physical Properties:
COOR (Pi Co)……N
TURB (FTU)……..0
E COND (µs/cm) …207.
D O (ppm) ……..0
TDS………………144.9
TH………………..132
T ALKAL……….115.8
EX ALKA………46.428
BICARBONATE ALKA…..109.8
CARBINATE ALKA…6
CHLORIDE…..7.81
FLUORIDE….0.23
NITRATE……0.89
NITRITE…….0.0133
AMMONIA ….0
SERNM: 10725
LOCAL: BEFORE EL GUNIED SUGAR FACTORY
STATE: GEZIRA
WATER SOURCE
SAM DEP (m):
WATER LEVEL (m)
LOMT.
ANA DATE:…13/12/2012
DISCHARGE (mm3/day)
Discharge (mm3/day).
SAN DATE: 13/12/2012
Physical Properties:
COOR (Pi Co)……N
TURB (FTU)……..0
E COND (µs/cm) …208.
D O (ppm) ……..0
TDS………………145.6
TH………………..98
T ALKAL……….152.4
EX ALKA………108.544
BICARBONATE ALKA…..146.4
CARBINATE ALKA…0
CHLORIDE…..6.39
FLUORIDE….0.01
NITRATE……2.64
NITRITE…….0.033
AMMONIA ….0
SERNM: 10721
LOCAL: AFTER EL GUNIED SUGAR FACTORY
STATE: GEZIRA
WATER SOURCE
SAM DEP (m):
WATER LEVEL (m)
LOMT.
ANA DATE:…13/12/2012
DISCHARGE (mm3/day)
Discharge (mm3/day).
SAN DATE: 13/12/2012
Physical Properties:
COOR (Pi Co)……N
TURB (FTU)……..0
E COND (µs/cm) …209.
D O (ppm) ……..0
TDS………………146.3
TH………………..118
T ALKAL……….121.8
EX ALKA………4.028
BICARBONATE ALKA…..109.8
CA………………………..12
RBINATE ALKA…0
CHLORIDE…..15.62
FLUORIDE…....0.19
NITRATE…..…2.2
NITRITE……....0.0133
AMMONIA …...0.0122
SERNM: 10725
LOCAL: SOUTH AL BAGAIR
STATE: GEZIRA
WATER SOURCE
SAM DEP (m):
WATER LEVEL (m)
LOMT.
ANA DATE:…13/12/2012
DISCHARGE (mm3/day)
Discharge (mm3/day).
SAN DATE: 13/12/2012
Physical Properties:
COOR (Pi Co)……N
TURB (FTU)……..0
E COND (µs/cm) …204.
D O (ppm) ……..0
TDS………………142.8
TH………………..80
T ALKAL……….115.8
EX ALKA………101.548
BICARBONATE ALKA…..109.8
CA………………………..12
RBINATE ALKA………….6
CHLORIDE……………7.81
FLUORIDE….0.17
NITRATE……3.08
NITRITE…….0.0198
AMMONIA ….0
SERNM: 10726
LOCAL: NORTH AL BAGAIR
STATE: GEZIRA
WATER SOURCE
SAM DEP (m):
WATER LEVEL (m)
LOMT.
ANA DATE:…13/12/2012
DISCHARGE (mm3/day)
Discharge (mm3/day).
SAN DATE: 13/12/2012
Physical Properties:
COOR (Pi Co)……N
TURB (FTU)……..0
E COND (µs/cm) …223.
D O (ppm) ……..0
TDS………………156.1
TH………………..106
T ALKAL……….134.2
EX ALKA………138.012
BICARBONATE ALKA…..134.2
CARBINATE ALKA…0
CHLORIDE…..12.07
FLUORIDE….0.01
NITRATE……2.64
NITRITE…….0.033
AMMONIA ….0
SERNM: 10726
LOCAL: NORTH AL BAGAIR
STATE: GEZIRA
WATER SOURCE
SAM DEP (m):
WATER LEVEL (m)
LOMT.
ANA DATE:…13/12/2012
DISCHARGE (mm3/day)
Discharge (mm3/day).
SAN DATE: 13/12/2012
Physical Properties:
COOR (Pi Co)……N
TURB (FTU)……..0
E COND (µs/cm) …223.
D O (ppm) ……..0
Sample No.
Parameters
Color
Oder
Taste
Turbidity
1
Slight brow
Sandy
Tasty
Turbid
2
Slight brow
Sandy
Tasty
Turbid
3
Slight brow
Sandy
Tasty
Turbid
4
Slight brow
Sandy
Tasty
Turbid
5
Slight brow
Bad
Tasty
Turbid
6
Slight brow
Sandy
Tasty
Turbid
Sample No.
Area
Solidmaterials
Fluoride(F)
pH
NO3
NO2
Talk
HCO3
CO3
CL
SO4
Ca
Mgg/L
Na
NH4
1
Arbagi
145.6
0.01
7.9
2.83
0.0330
128.0
123.0
00
08.57
80
34.4
04.86
80
0.0000
2
Abu Frou
146.0
0.23
8.3
0.89
0.0132
115.8
109.8
06
07.81
23
28.8
11.58
80
0.0000
3
Daeim
151.2
0.01
8.3
2.64
0.0330
152.4
146.4
00
06.39
20
29.6
03.40
80
0.0000
4
Al jaded
144.9
0.19
8.1
2.20
0.0132
121.8
109.8
12
16.62
16
28.0
01.45
30
0.0124
5
Buotary
142.8
0.17
8.3
3.08
0.0198
115.8
109.8
12
07.81
18
29.6
01.58
60
0.0000
6
Alack
156.1
0.01
7.9
2.64
0.0330
134.2
134.2
00
12.07
23
34.4
04.86
80
0.0000
Av.
114.7
0.1803
8.2
2.38
0.028
129.6
122.2
05
09.88
30
30.8
4.55
68.3
0.0020
Conclusion
The study revealed spatial variations in the concentration of the analyzed elements. The concentrations are within or below the normal or fresh water, and comply with the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the pollution may be caused by turbidly and accelerated water follows during the rainy season and the flood period. a.Provision of safe, clean drinking water to the rural communities. b.Campaigns for raising awareness of the rural people about the mishandling of chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides). c.Sanitation issues to be addressed immediately by the local authority. d.Further studies using air space technology is recommended.