Ecological Risk Assessment of Metals Contaminated Sediments from the Nile River at Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Contamination of the Nile River water with metals and its impact on sediment quality has a high concern recently. This is the first work to assess concentration and ecological risk assessment of metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr) in sediment sampled from the Torrent drainage channel and Nile River at Beni-Suef governorate (Egypt). Ecological and human health risks index were used to evaluate the effect of the metal contaminated sediments on the ecosystem status and human health. Concentration levels of metals studies followed the order of: Zn> Cr> Cu> Pb. Geo accumulation index (Igeo) classified the surface sediment samples as uncontaminated sediments, while potential ecological risk (RI) showed that metals in these sediments may pose a low risk in the ecological system. Effect range median (ERMQ) and probable effect level (PELQ) quotients clarified that metal contaminated sediments could be related with 12% and 10% probability of toxicity respectively, except for some Cr concentrations where its PELQ values were related with 25.5% probability of toxicity. Hazard quotients (HQs), hazard indices (HIs) and cancer risk (CR) indicated that human inhabitants in the nearby area from the current sampling sites may not be exposed to carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic adverse health effects through dermal contact of their lower legs into contaminated sediments.