The present study was carried out on EL-Gharbia main drain located in Middle Nile Delta. EL-Gharbia main drain passes through many villages dotted along it receiving their drainage water, house wastes, commercial activities and industerial effluents. Thus, six locations were selected along the drain from Nemra EL-Basal to the end of drain locations. Water samples were monthly collected during Sep.2010 to Aug.2011. Also, six sidement samples from each location, as well as, six soil samples and twelve plant samples were taken from fields which irrigated directly from the drain through winter and summer seasons.
The main obtained results are presented as follows:
Electrical Conductivity (EC) values increased slightly with northward direction. Also, Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) took the same trend. All water samples, at all locations lie in C3S1 division except at the end of drain lie in (C4S2).
For boron (B) concentration, the locations of Nemra EL-Basal, Dokhmaas, EL-Karakat and EL-Hamoul have low concentration (B1) < 0.7 meq/L less than the criticle limit which indicated “no-problem". Whereas, the other locations were lie in (B2) > 3 meq/L which indicated “severe problem" for irrigation during the year of study.
NH4-N values, at all locations recorded less values than the critical level < 5 meq/L, which indicated “no-problem" except at the end of drain, which its values were “slight to moderate problem". Also, for NO3-N values, were less than < 10 meq/L in all studied locations, except at the end of drain which values were above the criticle level indicating “slight to moderate problem".
The values of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in samples were taken from Nemra EL-Basal to EL-Karakat were more than < 600 meq/L indicating “slight to moderate problem". While, the other locations were less than 600 mg/L indicating “no-problem". Also, the values of biological oxygen demand (BOD) in samples were taken from Nemra EL-Basal to the end of drain locations were less than 300 mg/L indicating “no-problem".
Lead content in water was low in the most months and at most locations from the permessible limits (5 mg/kg) with a slight increase in these values northwards on the downstream direction.
Total lead in soil and sediment content was less than the permissible limits (500 mg/kg).
Lead content in wheat and rice grain value was higher than the permissible limits (0.5 mg/kg).