Estimation of Some Heavy Elements Transported in the Suspended River Load of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the contamination level of suspended sediments coming from Tigris and Euphrates rivers with heavy metals namely Zn, V, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Cd, and Pb, within Iraqi alluvial plain area in Baghdad, Wasit, and Misan Babel and Diwaniyah governorates during the year 2023, suspended sediment samples were collected using pumps to suction the samples and passing them through filters to catch the sediment. The sediments were dried, grind, and sieved. Heavy metals were extracted using the digestion method and then determined using a spectrophotometer. Contamination indices were including Contamination Degree, Enrichment Factor, Pollution Load Index, Geo Accumulation Index. The results showed that the total concentrations of heavy metals in suspended sediment samples of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were higher than the background values, and most of the concentrations values in the Tigris River were higher than in the Euphrates River and increase in the concentrations of polluting elements in the sediments also with the distance mileage through the river. The contamination factor (CF) values sediments were according sequence: CF= Ni > Cr > Sr > Cu > Co > V > Zn > Cd > As > Mn > Fe > Pb. The most of the CF values for the elements were within moderate contamination. The values of the contamination degree (Cdeg) indicate were as follows: Cdeg = Misan > Waist > Diwanya > Baghdad > Babel. That most of the values of the contamination degree (C_deg) were within the considerable degree of contamination. The pollution load index (PLI) values were greater than 1 in all sites, which indicates the presence of pollution in all sites. These values differed from one site to another, and were sequence: PLI = Misan > Waist > Diwanya > Baghdad > Babel. The enrichment factor (EF) for the (V, Zn, Pb, Mn, Co, Cd, As) were within deficiently to minimal enrichment. and the enrichment factor (EF) for the (Cu, Cr, Sr) were within the moderate enrichment index. the enrichment factor (EF) for the (Ni) were within the Significant enrichment. The Geo accumulation index that each value in most of the sites was less than 1 and is within Uncontaminated to moderately.

Keywords: Suspended river load sediments, heavy metals, pollution

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-10-03

Publication date: December 31^st 2023