Groundwater Hydrogeochemistry Impacted by Industrial Activities in Ain Sukhna Industrial Area, North-Western Part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
- Please revise the English.
- Add numerical data of the main results to the abstract.
- Do you check the results obtained by "RSC indicator" with the "Magnesium hazard index(MI)" as an important for the ability of using this water for irrigation (See https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2022.108864)?
- keywords should not be repeated as found in the main title, such as "Ain Sukhna industrial area".
- "PAHs values"?
- Do you mention the differences between your study and the previous studies in the introduction section?
- Did you collect "Ten groundwater samples" only from their drilled wells?
- Why the investigation period was "during November 2022."?
- Don't use symbols without pre-introduction?
- What is the rule for selecting these specific "ten drilled wells" from "Numerous wells drilled by companies in Ain Sukhna"?
- What do you mean by "All groundwater samples are in the safe limit"?
- As known, there is a semi-linear relation between EC and TDS, but Table 2 does not reflect that. Please explain.
- Iron ions are found everywhere in the planet, but table 2 mentioned that they are not presented in four wells. Please recheck.
- The following two statements will confuse the readers: "In this study, total groundwater salinity varies from 2543 mg/L to 6841 mg/L (Table 2) denoting its unsuitability for irrigation." and "The RSC values in this region varies from -51.57 to -10.56 meq/L (Table 3), denoting that all the groundwater is of very good quality, not hazard and appropriate for irrigation (RSC <1.25 meq/L).". Please explain if the groundwater studied is good or not for irrigation.
- Recent references should be added.
The English should be revised.
Author Response
- Please revise the English.
Response: Ok
- Add numerical data of the main results to the abstract.
Response: abstract should be no more than 200 words and we only represent the heavy metals content.
- Do you check the results obtained by "RSC indicator" with the "Magnesium hazard index(MI)" as an important for the ability of using this water for irrigation (See https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2022.108864)?
Response: lines 443-453: MH added and showed unsuitability of most samples. "MH: In the natural water system, magnesium and calcium maintain a state of equi-librium. Elevated values of magnesium and calcium can increase soil pH and decrease the infiltration capacity of soil, which affects crop yield. If magnesium hazard content is above 50%, soil becomes alkaline and water is unsuitable for irrigation [76]. In the present study, MH values varied from 38.9 to 66.6, which indicated that 70% of samples had MH values above 50. The high amount of magnesium in most samples (except G5, G6, G10) might be due to the dissolution of carbonate rocks (Table 3). Based on total salinity, groundwater in the study area is unsuitable for irrigation. RSC depends on the carbonate ions only, so it denotes that groundwater's suitability for irrigation. MH denotes that 70% of wells are unsuitable. Overall, according to the salinity and MH index, most wells fall into the unsuitable category of water for irrigation.
- keywords should not be repeated as found in the main title, such as "Ain Sukhna industrial area".
Response: Ok, deleted
- "PAHs values"?
Response: lines67-69: modified to "Snousy et al. [17] recognized various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations varied from 10.36 to 107.23 mg/kg in sediments gathered from an industrial location adjacent to Suez Bay. "
- Do you mention the differences between your study and the previous studies in the introduction section?
Response: lines 73-74: It was mentioned in the introduction that few knowledges regarding the characterization of groundwater aquifer in this area "As a result of a lack of knowledge regarding the characterization of groundwater aquifers in this area and many other areas around Egypt,"
- Did you collect "Ten groundwater samples" only from their drilled wells?
Response: Yes, as a representative of each well, the study area is small- about 50 km with drilled wells from companies. Representative wells were chosen according to the type of aquifer and the if there are near from each other or not.
- Why the investigation period was "during November 2022"?
Response: Normally field working is not carried during summer times due to the high temperature in Egypt, so most field working after the weather conditions become suitable from November to March.
- Don't use symbols without pre-introduction?
Response: ok, sometimes the abbreviations are very common to the scientists working in the field.
- What is the rule for selecting these specific "ten drilled wells" from "Numerous wells drilled by companies in Ain Sukhna"?
Response: Yes, as a representative of each well, the study area is small- about 50 km with drilled wells from companies. Representative wells were chosen according to the type of aquifer and the if there are near from each other or not.
- What do you mean by "All groundwater samples are in the safe limit"?
Response: This mean that all groundwater in the area are within the safe standard limit of pH.
- As known, there is a semi-linear relation between EC and TDS, but Table 2 does not reflect that. Please explain.
Response: lines 222-224: There was two errors in G4 and G10 adjusted in table 2. The non-linearity observed in EC with TDS may be regard to the ion-ion and ion-solvent interactions become more substantial. As a result, the EC of the aqueous solutions rises at progressively lower rates with increasing TDS (McNeil and Cox, 2000).
- Iron ions are found everywhere in the planet, but table 2 mentioned that they are not presented in four wells. Please recheck.
Response: Yes, but the concentration depends on the dissolution of mineral phases in water, this is not an XRF analysis of aquifer sediments and also not a digestion method.
- The following two statements will confuse the readers: "In this study, total groundwater salinity varies from 2543 mg/L to 6841 mg/L (Table 2) denoting its unsuitability for irrigation." and "The RSC values in this region varies from -51.57 to -10.56 meq/L (Table 3), denoting that all the groundwater is of very good quality, not hazard and appropriate for irrigation (RSC <1.25 meq/L).". Please explain if the groundwater studied is good or not for irrigation.
Response: lines 450-453: " Based on total salinity, groundwater in the study area is unsuitable for irrigation. RSC depends on the carbonate ions only, so it denotes that groundwater's suitability for irrigation. MH denotes that 70% of wells are unsuitable. Overall, according to the salinity and MH index, most wells fall into the unsuitable category of water for irrigation. "
- Recent references should be added.
Response: ok
Alzahrani, H.; El-Sorogy, A.S.; Qaysi, S.; Alshehri, F. Contamination and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Coastal Sediments of the Area between Al-Jubail and Al-Khafji, Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia. Water 2023, 15, 573. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030573
Fallatah, O.; Khattab, M.R. Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Suitability for Irrigation Purposes and Human Consumption in Saudi Arabia. Water 2023, 15, 2352. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15132352
Nour, H.E.; Alshehri, F.; Sahour, H.; El-Sorogy, A.S.; Tawfik, M. Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risk in the coastal sediments of Suez Bay, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. J. African Earth Sci. 2022, 195,104663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2022.104663.
Mukherjee, I.; Singh U.K.; Chakma, S. Evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation water supply using multi-criteria decision-making techniques and GIS in an agroeconomic tract of Lower Ganga basin, India. J. Environ. Manage. 2022, 309,114691.
Khan, M.S.; Shahid, M. Improving Water Quality Using Metal−Organic Frameworks. In: Metal−Organic Frameworks for Environmental Remediation. American Chemical Soc., 2021, 171-191 . DOI:10.1021/bk-2021-1395.ch007
Shi,Y.; Zou,Y Khan, M.S.; Zhang,M.; Yan,J.; Xiaohua Zheng, X.; Wang, W.; Xie, Z. Metal–organic framework-derived photoelectrochemical sensors: structural design and biosensing technology. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2023,11, 3692-3709.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The research article “Groundwater hydro geochemistry impacted by industrial activities in Ain Sukhna industrial area, North-western part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt” presents a comprehensive study on groundwater quality assessment in the Northwest Gulf of Suez, a region crucial for economic development and human well-being. Overall, the research is relevant and significant for addressing groundwater challenges in arid regions. I have few comments regarding the manuscript.
Please improve the quality of introduction and cite some recent research article.
Overall, the English needs to be improved.
The article lacks an in-depth description of the research methodology. Please provide the study in detail.
Also see some recent research articles on water treatment Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 2022, 316, p.123602; J. Mater. Chem. C, 2023,11, 3692-3709; Improving Water Quality Using Metal− Organic Frameworks pp. 171-191. American Chemical Society, 2021.
The paper mentions anthropogenic activities as a potential source of heavy metal and ionic enrichment, but it lacks a comprehensive discussion on the specific activities as well their contribution. Please elaborate.
The article briefly mentions the improper effects of incrustation and corrosion in groundwater samples. Further elaboration on these.
The article recommends proper management actions to ameliorate groundwater quality, it lacks specific and actionable recommendations. The research would benefit from providing concrete suggestions for sustainable groundwater management and pollution control, tailored to the study area's unique challenges.
Author Response
The research article “Groundwater hydro geochemistry impacted by industrial activities in Ain Sukhna industrial area, North-western part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt” presents a comprehensive study on groundwater quality assessment in the Northwest Gulf of Suez, a region crucial for economic development and human well-being. Overall, the research is relevant and significant for addressing groundwater challenges in arid regions. I have few comments regarding the manuscript.
Please improve the quality of introduction and cite some recent research article.
Response: ok
Alzahrani, H.; El-Sorogy, A.S.; Qaysi, S.; Alshehri, F. Contamination and Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Coastal Sediments of the Area between Al-Jubail and Al-Khafji, Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia. Water 2023, 15, 573. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030573
Fallatah, O.; Khattab, M.R. Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Suitability for Irrigation Purposes and Human Consumption in Saudi Arabia. Water 2023, 15, 2352. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15132352
Nour, H.E.; Alshehri, F.; Sahour, H.; El-Sorogy, A.S.; Tawfik, M. Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risk in the coastal sediments of Suez Bay, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. J. African Earth Sci. 2022, 195,104663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2022.104663.
Mukherjee, I.; Singh U.K.; Chakma, S. Evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation water supply using multi-criteria decision-making techniques and GIS in an agroeconomic tract of Lower Ganga basin, India. J. Environ. Manage. 2022, 309,114691.
Khan, M.S.; Shahid, M. Improving Water Quality Using Metal−Organic Frameworks. In: Metal−Organic Frameworks for Environmental Remediation. American Chemical Soc., 2021, 171-191 . DOI:10.1021/bk-2021-1395.ch007
Shi,Y.; Zou,Y Khan, M.S.; Zhang,M.; Yan,J.; Xiaohua Zheng, X.; Wang, W.; Xie, Z. Metal–organic framework-derived photoelectrochemical sensors: structural design and biosensing technology. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2023,11, 3692-3709.
Overall, the English needs to be improved.
Response: ok
The article lacks an in-depth description of the research methodology. Please provide the study in detail.
Response: lines 109-154: ok, some modifications added in the Materials and Methods section.
Also see some recent research articles on water treatment Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 2022, 316, p.123602; J. Mater. Chem. C, 2023,11, 3692-3709; Improving Water Quality Using Metal− Organic Frameworks pp. 171-191. American Chemical Society, 2021.
Response: two references added
Khan, M.S.; Shahid, M. Improving Water Quality Using Metal−Organic Frameworks. In: Metal−Organic Frameworks for Environmental Remediation. American Chemical Soc., 2021, 171-191 . DOI:10.1021/bk-2021-1395.ch007
Shi,Y.; Zou,Y Khan, M.S.; Zhang,M.; Yan,J.; Xiaohua Zheng, X.; Wang, W.; Xie, Z. Metal–organic framework-derived photoelectrochemical sensors: structural design and biosensing technology. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2023,11, 3692-3709.
The paper mentions anthropogenic activities as a potential source of heavy metal and ionic enrichment, but it lacks a comprehensive discussion on the specific activities as well their contribution. Please elaborate.
Response: ok, some text added “Copper showed some enrichment at some wells that may related to the industrial applications such as paint, plumbing pipes, and storage batteries [50]. Domestic and industrial wastewaters discharge in the study area can increase the Cd, Cu, and Pb metal concentration.”
The article briefly mentions the improper effects of incrustation and corrosion in groundwater samples. Further elaboration on these.
Response: ok, some text added “Alkalinity, pH, chloride, calcium and sulphate are chief water quality parameters that facilitate iron corrosion [39]. Higher concentration of chloride and sulphate also increases the rate of corrosion and pitting of iron and copper materials. Corrosion may uniformly attack a metal surface or focused on specific sites [61]. The concentration of these major cations and anions were found to be high (Table 2).”
The article recommends proper management actions to ameliorate groundwater quality, it lacks specific and actionable recommendations. The research would benefit from providing concrete suggestions for sustainable groundwater management and pollution control, tailored to the study area's unique challenges.
Response: line 499-511: ok, some text added “The hydrogeological conditions and chemical composition of groundwater are major constraints and limiting factors in future developments in the investigated area. The shallow groundwater systems are susceptible to pollution and have high TDS and TH, which may interfere with industrial activities. Adopting aquifer recharge procedures and rain-water harvesting in the investigated areas [78] bearing inappropriate water quality can dilute the ionic groundwater concentrations, which in turn will improve the groundwater quality for irrigation. More saline or salt-tolerable crops could be grown with a good irrigation system to stop soil salinization [e.g., use lime/gypsum]. Regular monitoring of water quality and pollution is important for the government. This would be helpful in developing the suitable management plan and sustainable utilization of groundwater in different purposes. Also, the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently gained much attention for water treatment due to their tunable porosity, large surface area, and easily modified structure that can improve water quality in these areas [79-80].
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
This paper defines the water quality in Northwest Gulf of Suez in respect of the geogenic and anthropogenic sources and suitability for various purposes.
The paper is well planned respecting all rules of scientific paper writing.
My only comment would be that at the conclusion it is stated that " for irrigation purposes, groundwater is of very good quality and appropriate (RSC values < 1.25 meq/L)", but as also mentioned at the abstract this groundwater is only suitable for high salinity resistant crops. I think this has to be mentioned in the conclusion too
Just to review the text for minor editing
Author Response
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
This paper defines the water quality in Northwest Gulf of Suez in respect of the geogenic and anthropogenic sources and suitability for various purposes.
The paper is well planned respecting all rules of scientific paper writing.
My only comment would be that at the conclusion it is stated that " for irrigation purposes, groundwater is of very good quality and appropriate (RSC values < 1.25 meq/L)", but as also mentioned at the abstract this groundwater is only suitable for high salinity resistant crops. I think this has to be mentioned in the conclusion too.
Response: line 527-529: ok, modified "For irrigation purposes, groundwater is safe and appropriate (RSC values < 1.25 meq/L). However, based on MH values, 70% of groundwater samples were found to be unsuitable for irrigation, only for high saline or salt-tolerable crops. "
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Just to review the text for minor editing
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
