DISTRIBUTION OF ENTERIC PROTOZOA IN THE RIVER NILE DRAINS: EGYPT USING FIELD AND REMOTE SENSING STUDIES

ABD EL-HAMID, AIAT A.; SAAD EL-DIN, MARWA I.; AZZAM, MOHAMED I.; AMER, AMANY S.; GHOBASHY, MAHI A.

doi:10.21608/jesp.2021.165957

DISTRIBUTION OF ENTERIC PROTOZOA IN THE RIVER NILE DRAINS: EGYPT USING FIELD AND REMOTE SENSING STUDIES

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Central Laboratory for Environmental Quality Monitoring, National Water Research

10.21608/jesp.2021.165957

Abstract

Polluted water is a massive international issue that needs to be monitored and evaluated at all
conditions for water management policy. This study identified enteric protozoa in three drains;
as well as the physicochemical characteristics, heavy metals of such freshwater bodies in seasonal
biotic status in Abu Youssef, El-Rahaway, and El-Qalyubia in the River Nile, Egypt. Also,
the spatial distribution of the pathogenic protozoa along the three drains was investigated
using remote sensing (RS) and the geographic information system (GIS). Applying these approaches
gave a useful epidemiological of protozoa in drains. The results showed Entamoeba
histolytica and Giardia intestinalis in the three drains. Their survival depended on oxygen demand
(COD) concentration, organic matters and coliform bacteria existence despite the heavy
metal pollution. This study gave valuable information within the GIS framework to accurately
quantify the spatial distribution of aquatic biota and water chemistry and thus determined the
risks to water bodies and proposing the proper mitigation measure to save such vital resource.

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