Applied heavy elements pollution index (HPI)‎ as a water pollution indicator at Al- Chibayish marsh in Thi-Qar province, southern Iraq

Abstract EN

Water samples were collected seasonally from four stations selected at Al- Chibayish marsh in Thi-Qar province, southern Iraq from the period August, 2017 to April, 2018 to determine the concentration of some heavy elements (Cadmium (Cd), Chromium(Cr), Nickel(Ni) and Lead(Pb)) and their distribution as dissolved and particulate phases (exchangeable and residual phase) in water.

Heavy elements pollution index (HPI)was applied as an index for heavy elements pollution.

Results showed that the mean concentrations of the studied elements(Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) as dissolved phase were (0.06, 2.03, 0.56, 2.97) µg / l, respectively, whereas in the exchangeable phase of particulate were (14.47, 53.97, 90.91, 332.78) µg /g dry weight respectively, and in the residual phase of particulate were (12.21, 225.60, 243.66, 242.25) µg / g dry weight respectively.

The results indicated that mean HPI values were found to be below the critical pollution index value of 100, HPI values were ranged from 4.39 to 12.51 referred to unpolluted water according to the permissible values of dissolved elements.