Effect of Dumping Waste Sludge from Mogran Water Treatment Plant (MWTP) on Residual Aluminum in Water and Soil in Blue Nile

Abstract

This study aims to determine the residual aluminum in water and soil resulting from dumping the waste and sludge disposal from MWTP to the Blue Nile. This plant uses Poly Aluminum Chloride(PAC) as a coagulant in water treatment plant. This research reflects the impact of disposed waste on the quality of Nile water and produced water. Aluminum was measured at different stages of water treatment including raw water, after adding poly aluminum chloride, after sedimentation, after filtration, after chlorination and treated water. The results were found to be as follows: 0.013, 2.263, 0.044, 0.029, 0.027 and 0.027 ppm respectively. Aluminum concentration was measured in Blue Nile water at the dumping area at which Mogran Treatment Plant (MWTP) drains the waste. Aluminum concentration at the dumping point, at distances 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000m at the direction of the water current were found to be 8.296, 0.015, 0.014, 0.009, 0.011 and 0.014 ppm respectively. Opposite to direction of the water current at distances 100, 200, 500 and 1000m the concentration of aluminum were found to be 0.013, 0.013, 0.012 and 0.012ppm respectively. Aluminum concentration in other shore at Toti Island at distances 100m at the direction and opposite direction of the water current from the point corresponding to the west reject were found to be 0.013 and 0.012ppm respectively. Aluminum was also measured in soil at the dumping point (where the waste is rejected) and at distances 50m, 100m, 200m, 500m and 1000m at the direction of the current water from the point of dumping the waste. The concentrations were found to be 203.643, 273.472, 213.446, 206.658, 308.5 and 185.5ppm respectively. The concentration of aluminum in the soil at distance 100, 200 and 1000 m from the dumping point at the opposite direction of the water current were found to be 234.565, 184.634 and 180 ppm respectively.