BIOREMEDIATION OF INDUSTRIALWASTES OF OIL REFINERIES AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTION FOR POLLUTION OF "!SMAILIA CANAL

Abstract

Pollution of waterways due to oil spills is a global environmental problem which represents a great danger to these ecosystems. Management of water quality, control of water pollution and environmental protection are major issues to preserve living conditions for the future. Egypt has been listed among the ten countries that are threatened by the need of water by the year 2025 due to the rapidly increasing population. About 97% of Egypt's water resources are from the Nile River. About 350 industries are discharging their waste water either directly into the Nile or through the municipal system. Although industrialization is considered the cornerstone of the development strategies due to its significant contribution to the economic growth and hence human welfare, however, in most developing countries it led to serious environmental degradation (Abdel Gelil et a!, 1998).