PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY OF ISMAILIA CANAL WATER, RIVER NILE, EGYPT.

Ismailia Canal is considered as one of the most important drinking and irrigation water source in Egypt. Twenty four water samples were collected during four successive seasons from summer 2010 to spring 2011 along the area extending from El Mazallat to Anshas . Physical parameters temperature, E.C and TDS and chemical parameters pH ,alkalinity, TH, DO, COD, BOD, NH3 ,NO2- ,NO3- , PO4-3 , Cl-, F-, Br- ,SO4 -2 ,Ca2+,Mg2+, Na+, K+, Fe+3, Cd+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, Pb+2, and Al+3 were analyzed to identify water quality of Ismailia Canal. The results of these analyses, when compared with Egyptian and international standards were found to be within the permissible limits except COD, NH3, Fe+3, Cd+2, Pb+2, and Al+3 at certain sites and/ or certain seasons. Additionally, the naturally occurring radioactive materials (238U, 232Th and 40K) were analyzed where 238U and 232Th were found to exceed EPA limit. Finally water quality index (WQI) was calculated to be 80.6 and 84.3 according to Egyptian higher committee of water and WHO guidelines, respectively; this indicates that the water quality of Ismailia Canal was good.