Irrigation Water Quality Assessment in Egyptian Arid Lands, Utilizing Irrigation Water Quality Index and Geo-Spatial Techniques

Mohamed E. Fadl (), Doaa M. Abou ElFadl, Elhussieny A. Abou Hussien, Mohammedi Zekari, Eltaher M. Shams, Marios Drosos, Antonio Scopa () and Hanaa A. Megahed
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Mohamed E. Fadl: Division of Scientific Training and Continuous Studies, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Cairo 11769, Egypt
Doaa M. Abou ElFadl: Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Shebin El-Kom 32512, Egypt
Elhussieny A. Abou Hussien: Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Shebin El-Kom 32512, Egypt
Mohammedi Zekari: National Higher Agronomic School, El Harrach, Algiers 16200, Algeria
Eltaher M. Shams: Geography and GIS Department, Faculty of Arts, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
Marios Drosos: Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali (SAFE), Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Antonio Scopa: Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali (SAFE), Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Hanaa A. Megahed: Division of Geological Applications and Mineral Resources, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Cairo 11769, Egypt

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: This study focused on assessing surface water quality in the northwest part of the Egyptian Nile Delta (El-Menoufia Governorate) and evaluated water suitability for irrigation purposes using the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), Permeability Index (PI), Wilcox, United State Salinity (USSL) diagram, and Piper trilinear diagrams categories, taking into consideration various water quality parameters. The results showed that, based on the IWQI, most of the water samples (61.8%) in the investigated area fell under the no restriction water (NR) category. Furthermore, the Wilcox diagram demonstrated that most of the investigated water samples (93.6%) are categorized as doubtful water; this shows that those samples have a higher sodium content material. According to the USSL diagram, most of the water samples (70.9%) fell into the high salinity (C) and moderate sodium (S) content (C3S2) class. According to the PI index, 8.2% of the tested water samples fell into class II (suitable for irrigation) and 91.8% fell into class III (unsuitable for irrigation). Based on the Piper trilinear, the water type is Na-Cl-HCO 3 . According to these results, most of the water samples require more water regulations, are categorized as doubtful water that causes plants’ augmentation sensitivity if used for irrigation, and fell into the high salinity (EC) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) magnitude, which might have negative outcomes on soil and plant health if used for irrigation, have extensive obstacles, and are improper for irrigation. Therefore, proper management practices and treatments may be vital to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity and SAR on soil and plant health in this study area. Therefore, addressing water deficiency and quality in Egypt’s northwest Nile delta is crucial for suitable irrigation purposes.

Keywords: water quality; irrigation water; Nile Delta; Egypt; IWQI; GIS techniques (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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