Impact of the wastedump ecosystem (phosphate ore dressing manufacture, Aswan, Egypt) on the surrounding environment

This study deals with evaluation of the impact of wastedump resulting from the phosphate ore dressing near the Mahamead Village (120 km north Aswan City), Aswan Governorate, Egypt, on the surrounding environment. The results indicate that the waste dump ecosystem contains elevated concentrations of Ca, Na, Cl∼, SO^" and HCOJ as well as, relatively high concentrations of Fe, Mn, Pb and Cd. High pH (8.28-8.97) in all samples minimized the adverse effect on the soil and groundwater. The aerial parts of emergent weeds growing in the waste dump which used in this region as animal feed accumulate permissible limits of toxic metals. The wastedump can be a potential hazard to health and wildlife, if drainage from this dump (waste water) enters the Nile river.