आईएसएसएन: 2375-4397
Mustafa F. Hameed1*, Wissam A. Abdullah1, Riyadh A. Abdul Hameed1, Hameed F. Hameed2
The research dealt with the estimation and evaluation of toxic sediments by heavy metals in the of Bab Suleiman river in Abi Al-Khaseeb district in Basra Governorate – Iraq. The study included four sites along the river. The sediments were digested according to the Milestone method using microwave Technique. For the purpose of concentration level of heavy metals, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used for four elements (lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper) and their direct impact on human health was studied. In general, the results showed that the concentrations of metals were Pb > Cd > Cr > Cu. The contamination factor (CF) was determined for each heavy metal and it was found that the sediments of the P1 and P3 sites were moderately contaminated with lead, and that all the sediments of Bab Suleiman river were polluted with cadmium. Contamination was determined in the sediments of the Bab Suleiman river through statistical analysis of the concentrations of heavy metals and it was found that the site P1 is polluted with all these elements, where the value of the PLI is greater than one, and it was showed that the quality of sediments is slightly polluted in the sediments of the sites P1 and P3 according to the PN index compared to the sediments of sites P2 and P4 which has careful sediments and is likely to become contaminated in the event that the causes of pollution continue, and this is a dangerous healthy indication for the local population near the river because the river water is used for washing and cooking, as well as the fish in which it is considered a food source.