Investigating the Constructed Wetlands in the Branches of Bahr Hadous Drain to Reduce its Salinity and Increase Drainage Reuse of El-Salam Canal

This research was initiated with the objective of investigating the potential of constructed wetlands covered by duckweeds and connected to the branches of Bahr Hadous drain on its salinity, and subsequently, its discharge into El-Salam canal. Primarily, literature was reviewed. Data was assembled and analysed. The water quality model QUAL2K was used in this investigation. Moreover, electrical Conductivity (EC) was selected as an indicator for salinity in this study. Investigations under Egyptian natural climate conditions showed that the salt-removal of duckweeds is first-order reaction kinetics and removal rates are 7.6, 1.6 and 0.1% for salinity 600, 1,800 and 3,300 μmhos. QUAL2K results indicated that establishing two duckweeds-wetlands in the seven branches of Bahr Hadous drain can reduce its salinity by about 20%. This can increase its mixed discharge into El-Salam Canal by about 50%.