Tracking anthropogenic nitrogen-compound sources of surface and groundwater in southwestern Nile Delta:...

This research aims to assign the specific and potential sources that control migration and transformation mechanisms of ammonium/nitrate contaminants of surface and groundwater systems in the southwestern Nile Delta, Egypt. To achieve that, an integration of hydrogeochemistry, multiple environmental stable isotopes (δ²H-H₂O, δ¹⁸O-H₂O, δ¹⁵N-NH₄, and δ¹⁵N-NO₃) coupled with three-dimensional nitrogen transport numerical model (MODFLOW-MT3D) was done. A set of representative water samples (20 canals and drainage water) and 14 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for physical, chemical, and stable isotope analysis. NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- concentrations in surface water samples varied from 0.29 to 124 mg/l and 0.52 to 39.67 mg/l, respectively. For groundwater samples, NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- concentrations varied from 0.21 to 1.75 mg/l and 0.33 to 32.8 mg/l, respectively. Total risk quotient (THQ) level of nitrate (oral and dermal effects) from drinking water exceeds unity for all water samples indicating a potential noncancer risk for the southwestern Nile Delta residents. The potential sources of nitrogen compound pollution are water from sewage treatment plants used for irrigation, sludge and animal manure, septic tanks, soil nitrogen, and artificial fertilizers according to results of δ¹⁵N values. Results of ammonium/nitrate modeling in shallow groundwater aquifers are compared with observed concentrations and are found to be in good agreement. Some recommendations are given to decrease nitrogen loads in the study area through suggested a need for adoption of N-fertilizer management practices and treatment of sewage water before to application in agricultural activities.