A Comparative Study on the Water Quality of Two Nilotic Canals, and Their Effect on Some Biological Parameters of Oreochromis niloticus, in the Delta of Egypt, and Suggestion of a Simple Water Quality Index

The River Nile branches into irrigation canals, which extends for many kilometers (40 km to 85 km), where each represents a semi-independent ecosystem. Of those, Bahr Shebeen (BSC) and Alkhadraweya (KHC) Canals are present in the Minufiya Governorate, and extend through out other governorates in the Delta of Egypt. Water Quality data included the following parameters: total hardness, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, Cl, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, PO 4, Fe, NO3, and Cu. These parameters were examined and discussed, for significant relationships for each Canal. The favorability of each ecosystem for fish was examined, on the basis of fish growth, gonad stomach somatic indexes, where BSC was found to be more favorable by 13 to 15%, for fish. Subsequently, Water Quality Index (WQI) was discussed for those Canals, and a simple WQI is suggested.