A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON POTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN HEAVY A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON POTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN HEAVY METALS AND HEALTH, NILE RIVER ISLAND, NEAR ASSIUT, EGYPTMETALS AND HEALTH, NILE RIVER ISLAND, NEAR ASSIUT, EGYPTSYED E. HASAN, DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY,SYED E. HASAN, DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY,NADIA SHARARA, OSMAN EL NADY and GAMAL BOGHDADY, ASSIUT UNIVERSITY, EGYPTNADIA SHARARA, OSMAN EL NADY and GAMAL BOGHDADY, ASSIUT UNIVERSITY, EGYPT

AbstractAbstractThe Nile is the longest river in the world, flowing over a distance of 6,825 km and draining an area of 2.96 x 106 sq km that extends from the Equator to beyond the Tropic of Cancer. The upper reaches of the River lie in the East African Rift System that has created some of the largest tectonic lakes in the region. Geologic materials occurring in Egypt represent a long period of earth’s history: from the Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks to the Holocene sands of the desert. These rock formations are enriched in Al, As, Be, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, U, V, Zr and other elements. While concentration of selected elements has resulted in formation of valuable economic mineral deposits, the geochemical cycle also makes them bio-available in the food chain that seem to be causing chronic health problems to people living in the area. The relationship between geology and health has not been previously studied and the existing literature, though very rich in petrology, mineralogy, structure and tectonics; stratigraphy and paleontology; is devoid of information on this critical aspect of human health and the environment. Nonetheless, medical records maintained at the Health Department of the Assiut Governorate and the Assiut University Hospital have indicated above-normal incidence of kidney disease among the population. Site visit to villages on Al-Wasta islands, near the town of Assiut, was made in March, 2006. It included interview with residents, and random sampling of water, plants, and soil. ICP-MS analyses of soil, water, fertilizer, and vegetation samples have revealed high concentration of a suite of heavy metals. These heavy metals are known to be toxic to humans and we suspect that the abnormal incidence of nephrological disorders and other health problems might be related to presence of As, Be, Cd, Mo, and Pb in soil and the organic fertilizer that is used to grow wheat and vegetables.

AA BB

CC

A) North Al-Wasta island on the Nile River

B) Village home on Al-Wasta Island

C) Nile River flowing past the town of Assiut

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON POTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN HEAVY A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON POTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN HEAVY METALS AND HEALTH, NILE RIVER ISLANDS, NEAR ASSIUT, EGYPTMETALS AND HEALTH, NILE RIVER ISLANDS, NEAR ASSIUT, EGYPT

Materials and MethodMaterials and MethodA variety of media samples were collected from Al-Wasta island, comprising surface and groundwater, wheat, and other vegetation, organic fertilizer, sediment from Nile River and effluent from a phosphate fertilizer manufacturing factory. Water samples were prepared for ICPMS analysis by diluting approximately 20g of sample, 1mL of concentrated nitric acid and 250µL of internal standard to 100g total mass using 18 M-ohm water.    Soil and vegetation samples (<0.1g each) were digested with 2 mL of HNO3 and 0.25 mL 30% H2O2 in Teflon vessels at 90˚C for 18 h. The resulting solution was then diluted to 100g total mass using 18M-ohm water after adding 250µL of internal standard solution. Analyses were performed using a Varian UltraMass 600 ICPMS in the laboratory of the Department of Geosciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City. A total of 33 samples were analyzed.

Result of ICPMS Analysis of Wheat SamplesResult of ICPMS Analysis of Wheat Samples

Part of Part of wheat wheat plantplant

Concentration, ppbConcentration, ppbToxic MetalsToxic Metals

Other MetalsOther Metals

Al Be Cd Co Cr Cu Fe Mg Mn Ni Pb V Zn Zr Ca K Na

GrainsGrains 302,463 - - - 574 5,823 0.285 x 106

1.06 x 106

45,004 888 - 432 6,441 - 1.45 x 106

- 0.38 x 106

Ear with Ear with grainsgrains

402,138 - - - 2930 8,975 0.283 x 106

2.44 x 106

57,757 1,565 1,039 1,928 484 - 2.47 x 106

- 0.53 x 106

LeavesLeaves 1.4 x 106 - - - 1509 10,202 1.72 x 106

3.06 x 106

0.122 x 106

3,646 3,737 5,390 - 92 6.63 x 106

- 0.54 x 106

Root Root with soilwith soil

- 551 1290 20,498 40676 36,516 29.3 x 106

3.50 x 106

0.78 x 106

49,625 7,823 87,111 37,029 42,192 9.0 x 106 0.26 x 106

1.02 x 106

MCLMCL 50-200 (s) 4 5 - 100 1000 (s) 300 (s) - 50 (s) 100 0 - 5000 - - - 2000 (a)MCL: Max. allowed in drinking water;MCL: Max. allowed in drinking water; (s): Secondary standards, non-enforceable, for cosmetic/aesthetic effects; (a): for individuals on restricted Na diet [Source: EPA, Rept. # 822-R-04-(s): Secondary standards, non-enforceable, for cosmetic/aesthetic effects; (a): for individuals on restricted Na diet [Source: EPA, Rept. # 822-R-04-005, 2004]005, 2004]

Collecting groundwater

sample from a tube well, Al-Wasta island

Collecting water

sample from a

drainage ditch,

Al-Wasta island

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTACKNOWLEDGEMENTSS

Thanks are due to the Thanks are due to the University of Missouri-University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Kansas City (UMKC) and Assiut University, and Assiut University, Egypt, for travel Egypt, for travel support to the first support to the first author. The authors author. The authors are grateful to Dr. are grateful to Dr. James Murowchick, James Murowchick, Dept. of Geosciences, Dept. of Geosciences, UMKC for his help with UMKC for his help with ICPMS analysis.ICPMS analysis.