Physicochemical and Bacteriological Assessment of the Bahr El-Baqar Drain and Associated Irrigation Canals in Port Said, Egypt

.This study evaluated the seasonal variations in physicochemical parameters and bacteriological indicators to assess the extent and nature of contamination in the Bahr El-Baqar drain and associated irrigation canals in Port Said, Egypt, during the summer, autumn, winter, and spring of 2024. The three selected study sites were as follows: Site (1), a branch of the sub-drain Ezbet Abass; Site (2), a branch of the main drain Elmahasna; and Site (3), the main course of the Bahr El-Baqar drain at Zidan El Gamel. Physicochemical parameters of water samples from the three study sites exhibited clear seasonal and spatial variations.pH values ranged from 7.08 to 8.05, NaCl from 5.3% to 9.4%, and DO from 6.3 to 12.2 mg/L. BOD varied between 23.9 and 44 mg/L, COD from 34.6 to 70.6 mg/L, and EC between 3.03 and 5.2 mS/cm. TDS ranged from 1,524 to 2,810 mg/L, while TSS ranged from 1,465.6 to 1,980 mg/L. NH₄⁺ concentrations ranged between 2.8 and 18.6 mg/L, NO₃⁻ from 1.4 to 12 mg/L, PO₄³⁻ between 0.6 and 3.26 mg/L, and Cl⁻ from 499 to 883.6 mg/L.Bacteriological analyses showed significant seasonal differences in SPC and TC in water and plant roots. SPC peaked at 294 × 10³ cfu/mL (site 1, summer) and dropped to 13.6 × 10³ (site 3, winter). TC reached 304 × 10³ cfu/100 mL (site 1, summer) and 7 × 10² (site 3, winter). Plant roots showed similar trends. This study aims to assess current pollution levels and support sustainable management solutions.