Mineralogical and geochemical studies on soils and Nile bottom sediments of Luxor–Aswan area, South Egypt

Abstract

Abstract Background The geochemical studies on the rare earth elements to demonstrate sources of the toxic metals for soils and Nile sediments for Aswan area are seldom. Results Minerallogically, the studied soil agriculture samples consist mainly of quartz (42%), clay minerals (33%), plagioclase (20%) and magnesin-calcite (5%). Clay minerals are composed of montmorillonite as bentonite. The studied Nile sediments consist mainly of quartz (75%), clay minerals (15%), plagioclase (5%) and calcite (5%). Clay minerals are composed of calcian-montmorillonite (10%) and Kaolinite (5%). Geochemically, the chemical analytical techniques of the environment-sensitive elements, including Pb, Cd, As, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Zn, U and Th, have been performed for agricultural soils and sediments of Aswan–Luxor District to assess the geochemical characteristics of these elements and their impact on soil environmental and plant, as well as their provenance. Conclusions Average content of Cd was about 1.5-fold for the studied Nile sediments and slightly higher soil agriculture than (MPL). Pb and Cr average contents twofold of (MPL) for Nile sediments and Cr average of soil is represented 2.5-fold of (MPL). The average content of As, Cu, Co, Ni and U in both Nile sediments and cultivated soil in the studied area is lower than the maximum permissible limit (MPL). Average content of Pb, Zn and Cr was about 2, 2- and 2.5-fold, respectively, according to USPHS for the Nile sediments and threefold of Cr for the agriculture soils. The agricultural soil of Luxor–Aswan district is characteristic highly enrichment of As, Co, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, U and Th than those of the Nile sediments. In addition, the Nile sediments have high concentration average of Cr, Zn, Mn and Pb and low contamination of the other elements. The sources of the toxic metals in the studied area may probably be natural or anthropogenic. The anthropogenic source is resulting from paper, Ferrosilicon factories and Phosphate mines at Edfu, as well as Sand quarry, Shale mine and the Nitrogen Fertilizer factory at Aswan. In addition, natural sources such as waste of the drains floods.