Assessment of heavy metals contamination of sediments and surface waters of Bitter lake, Suez Canal, Egypt: Ecological risks and human health

The concentrations of heavy metals in the surface waters and sediments of Bitter Lake were investigated to assess the level, distribution, and source of pollution and the associated ecological and human health risks. The ecological indices of the lake water indicate low contamination degrees by heavy metals. A dermal exposure-based health risk evaluation revealed no carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic impact on human health. The contamination factor (CF) for Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn, Fe, and Zn (CF