Evaluating the spatial pattern of water quality of the Nile River, Egypt, through multivariate analysis of chemical and biological indicators

The Nile River, known as the "giver of life," serves as Egypt's main source of fresh water. A total of 28 sites along the Nile River were selected during the winter and summer of 2022 to illustrate spatial-temporal variation and indicate potential sources of pollution. The study showed that all chemical and physical parameters are within permissible limits. Based on the abiotic parameters, discriminant analysis (DA) classified the collected Nile sites into three groups (A, B, and C). Group A included the southern sites characterized by high transparency and low levels of electrical conductivity (EC), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Group B included the middle sites and was characterized by the relatively high means of EC, total dissolved solid (TDS), pH, DO, BOD, and COD. Group C included the northern sites, which are characterized by low transparency and the highest value of nutrients and EC. A total of 113 phytoplankton species belonging to seven phyla were recorded, while a total of 52 zooplankton species were recorded. The lowest abundance and diversity of phytoplankton and zooplankton were detected at the southern sites, which increased gradually to attain the highest density and diversity in the northern sites. The submerged macrophyte species were recorded in the study area with low species diversity, and Myriophyllum spicatum was the dominant one. 98 epiphytic diatoms and 30 species of macroinvertebrates attached to macrophytes were recorded. The blood parameters of Oreochromis niloticus were within normal limits except for those collected from the Greater Cairo governorate sites in the north. The study showed an improvement in Nile water quality due to increased water levels and water discharged into the Nile.