Physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of Ras El-Ain basin, Tyr, Lebanon

Abstract

Lebanon's natural water resources are facing serious problems related to quality and quantity. One of these issues is its deteriorating properties that is related to unregulated resource planning and rising demand. Water resources are used in many different applications such as residential, industrial, and irrigation. However, due to the over-exploitation, random use of surface water resources such as rivers, lakes, natural ponds the country is facing pressure related to the water demand and accessibility. This study focused on the Ras El-Ain area located in the South of Lebanon.. The Lebanese state dedicated it, along with other reservoirs, to supply potable water for Tyr and the surrounding villages. Today, these basins' water quality has deteriorated significantly because of unrestricted liquid and soil waste dumping. As a result, contaminants developed in these ponds. Aside from laboratory testing for water quality, contamination can be seen through direct observations, odors, watercolor, and patterns. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of pollution in the Ras El-Ain reservoirsThese natural pond have been progressively subjected to a variety of quality degradation characteristics. This includes the basic physiochemical characterization. As a result, the physicochemical and microbiological water characteristics of five selected samples from each pond were tested. These tests were performed following the European Standard Methods and World Health Organization guidelines (WHO). The effect of pollutant disposal in the Ras El-Ain was studied using multivariate approaches. The obtained results were then used to evaluate the extent of pollution in the several ponds.