Levels and distribution of trace metals in the Southern wetlands of Iraq

Abstract EN

Trace metals Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in water and sediments from southern Iraqi wetlands represented by Marshes, (Al-Hawiezh, Central and Al-Hammar), Shaft Al-Arab, Garmat AH and Northern Arabian Gulf.

Subsurface water samples and bottom sediments were collected from each site of sampling on a seasonal basis during the period July/2004 to July/2005.

Trace metals were extracted from each sample by means of standard methods and determined by adopting of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

The highest mean concentrations for trace metals in water (in ug/1) were 85.97(Cd) in Beeshah, 407.98(Co) in Qurna, 57.83(Cu) in Mashab, 574.33(Fe) in Khite, 85.34(Mn) in Seebah, 181.0(Ni) in Mashab, , 90.25(Pb) in Beeshah, and 702.34(Zn) in Beeshah during different seasons of the study, while the highest mean concentrations of trace metals in sediments (in ug/g) were 35.92(Cd) in Central marsh, 836.46(Co) in Central marsh, 48.69(Cu) in Central marsh, 18435.50(Fe) in Al-Hawiezh marsh, 3648.28(Mn) in Qurna, 486.95(Ni) in Garmat Ali, 5435.5 (Pb) in Qurna and 539.8(Zn) in Qurna.

Certain sites along Shaft Al-Arab river receive huge amounts of wastes from municipal, industrial and commercial which might increase the levels of pollutants in water and sediments, as it is found in Beesha at the top north of Arabian Gulf as pollutants in the particulate phase of water are precipitated.