Effects of Industrialization Processes in Giza Factories (Egypt) on Soil and Water Quality in Adjacent Territories

Industrialization processes in Giza governorate (Egypt) brings various organic and inorganic contaminants to surface and ground waters therein. Arable lands located nearby these industrial activities use such waters for irrigation; nevertheless, the contaminants that may exist in irrigation waters adversely affect soil quality and crop yields. Accordingly, periodic monitoring of water quality in this area has become an obligation to ensure its safe use for irrigation. Eighteen irrigation (canals and drain) water samples were collected from different industrial locations nearby the arable lands across Giza governorate in 2019 for quality evaluation. A control (well water) sample was also collected from this governorate so far away from the industrial zone for data comparison. Generally, the studied locations are located within the arid region and maybe the ground waters there are hydraulically connected. The salinity of the collected waters ranged from medium to high according to the classification of FAO. No sodicity, B or Mg hazards were detected in all water samples. On the other hand, the studied water samples were all classified as very hard water since their values of total hardness (TH) ranged from 154.5-293.5 mg L-1. Concentrations of Co and Pb in all water samples were below the permissible levels while Cd toxicity was detected in almost all water samples. Ni-hazard was identified in only one location. Besides, soils were sampled from the locations nearby the water resources. The principal component analyses indicate that the abovementioned potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil originated from almost one distinct source (weathering of rocks along the river path and not from different industrial origins). Their concentrations were below the permissible levels in all soil locations, in spite of that, almost all soils exhibited low pollution levels with PTEs according to the calculations of pollution load index. Concerning the correlations between the total PTEs contents in soil versus soil characteristics, Cd and Co contents were correlated significantly and positively with the CaCO3 content in soils while Pb was significantly correlated with soil organic matter, and Ni with soil pH. In conclusion, the discharges of the factories in the industrial zone of Giza should be monitored periodically to avoid further negative environmental consequences on the surroundings. Also, there is an intensive need to remediate contaminated wastewater prior to their discharges to the surrounding environment