Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

The value of environmental health and the functioning of ecosystems are widely recognized at the Manzala Lagoon for the first time and are becoming more familiar to illuminated public opinions. The freshwater molluscs play significant roles in the public and veterinary health in the Manzala Lagoon region. The abundance of freshwater gastropods species Biomphalaria alexandrina, B. glabrata, Bellamya unicolor, Viviparous contectus, Bulinus (Bulinus) truncatus, Lymnaea columella, L.(Galba) truncatula, Melanoides maculate, M. tuberculata, Planorbis planorbis, Succinea (Amphibina) cleopatra, Theodoxus (Neritaea) niloticus and T. (N.) anatolicus was negatively correlated with salinity. These gastropods are of considerable importance because they are hosts for Cercaria pusilla, Fasciola hepatica, Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosomasis transmission and Schistosoma haematobium disease vectors. The latter two can cause Schistosomiasis transmission (Bilharzia). The salinity of water in the lagoon depending on the water supplied from the Mediterranean Sea in the northern region and the discharged drain waters in the southern one. The maximum value of salinity 37.12�?� was recorded at station No.12 during spring. This may be due to the discharge of Mediterranean Sea water resulting from the high tide during this period. The minimum value of salinity 0.86�?� was recorded at station No.2 during summer. This may be due to the effect of low saline water discharged from Hadous Drain at this area. People living along the banks of the drains which are located in southern and western sectors of the Manzala Lagoon are exposed to freshwater Mollusca pollutants. The drains wastewater pollutants affected the human health because they use the drain waters in their life needs.

Biography

Orabi H.Orabi is a Former Head of Geology Department, Minoufiya University, Egypt.