The geochemical distribution of trace metals in Shatt Al-Arab river sediments.

Faraj, M.A.; Albadran, B.N.; Hassan, W.F.

	The geochemical distribution of trace metals in Shatt Al-Arab river sediments.
Mesopotamian Journal of Marine Science
Article 1, Volume 23, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 419-436 PDF (0 K)
Authors
M.A. Faraj; B.N. Albadran; W.F. Hassan
Abstract
The geochemical distribution and fractionation of trace metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) in Shatt Al-Arab water and sediments River has been investigated. Seven sampling stations were chosen, from Qurna to Al-Faw during spring 2004 to winter 2005. The water samples were collected from near the river bed, whereas sediments samples from the river bed by using hand-push corer to get undisturbed samples along the vertical variation (0-2, 2-4, 4-6 cm). Total concentrations of above metals were determined in water and sediments samples. The results showed that the concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in sediment samples were 263.47, 24.52, 149.28, 36.61, 1679.26, and 14443.29 mg.kg-1 respectively. Pb and Cd concentrations were found to be much higher than normal background values. Moreover seasonal and location variation in metals concentration where recorded. The significant variation in the Pb and Cd concentration in sediments is documented during winter and spring seasons, i.e. season of high discharge, whereas, the Cu and Zn concentration increases during the summer, which may be effected by the anthropogenic factor. According to the geoaccummulation index (Igeo), the sediments of Shatt Al-Arab River are polluted at very high risk by Pb and Cd, and unpolluted by Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe.

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