Heavy metals risk assessment in water and bottom sediments of the eastern part of Lake Manzala, Egypt, based on remote sensing and GIS

The contamination of natural environment components such as soil, sediment, water and biota by heavy metals is a major, worldwide concern. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu, Mn and Pb in water and bottom sediments of the Eastern Lake Manzala (ELM) are collected and analyzed. The geostatistical, change detection and land use/land cover analyses in addition to the geospatial mapping and GIS data integration are carried out in the present study to monitor and assess the different types of pollution. The findings indicated that the sediments and water of ELM constitute an ultimate sink for heavy metals in ELM aquatic system. During the last few years, the industrial together with the other anthropogenic activities has had a negative consequence for the natural environment of the ELM. This unfavourable condition also impacts the aquatic ecosystems. The contaminated water body of ELM with heavy metals greatly affected the lake food, organisms, and, hence, humans. The heavy metal concentration in ELM is found in riskier levels than the world permissible limits, which poses a serious environmental concern. The results revealed an agreement with abandoned heavy metal concentration effluents from human activities such as industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes in addition to sewage water and commercial activities. The ELM area is considered as a risky area contaminated with heavy metals, and it requires the establishment of awareness campaigns, periodic monitoring and evaluation along most communities of the lake margin. It is concluded that it is essential for planners and decision makers to seriously consider taking appropriate action now concerning the recommendations of the present study results establishing future sustainable development plan of the ELM.