Detection and mapping of water pollution variation in the Nile Delta using multivariate clustering and GIS techniques

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 91; no. 8; pp. 1785 - 1793
• Main Authors: Shaban, M., Urban, B., El Saadi, A., Faisal, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2010; Elsevier; Academic Press Ltd
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Brackish; Cluster Analysis; Clustering; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Deltas; Drainage; Drainage systems; Drainage water reuse; Egypt; Environmental Monitoring - instrumentation; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Geographic Information Systems; Geographical Information System; Geographical information systems; Mapping; Models, Theoretical; Monitoring; Multivariate Analysis; Multivariate cluster analysis; Recycling; Rivers; Satellite navigation systems; Water management; Water Movements; Water pollution; Water Pollution - analysis; Water quality; Water quality monitoring; Water treatment; Egypt; MED, Egypt, Arab Rep., Nile Delta; Multivariate cluster analysis; Geographical Information System; Water quality monitoring; Drainage water reuse; Cluster analysis; Nile Delta; Reuse; Multivariate analysis; Environmental management; Geographic information system; Water quality; Water pollution; Detection; Drainage water
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.03.020

The limited water resources of Egypt lead to widespread water-stress. Consequently, the use of marginal water sources, such as agricultural drainage waters, provides one of the national feasible solutions to the problem. However, the marginal quality of the drainage waters may restrict their use.
The objective of this research is to develop a tool for planning and managing the reuse of agricultural drainage water for irrigation in the Nile Delta. This is achieved by classifying the pollution levels of drainage water into several categories using a statistical clustering approach that may ensure simple but accurate information about the pollution levels and water characteristics at any point within the drainage system.
The derived clusters are then visualized by using a Geographical Information System (GIS) to draw thematic maps based on the entire Nile Delta, thus making GIS as a decision support system. The obtained maps may assist the decision makers in managing and controlling pollution in the Nile Delta regions. The clustering process also provides an effective overview of those spots in the Nile Delta where intensified monitoring activities are required. Consequently, the obtained results make a major contribution to the assessment and redesign of the Egyptian national water quality monitoring network.