Abstract
Al-Ma'ail river is one of the small Iraqi rivers, as it extends over a distance of approximately 47 km. Al-Ma'ail river is located next to Halfaya oil field, which is the main source of pollution to Al-Ma’ail river, consequently, the environmental quality of Al-Ma'ail river is under great pressure from a variety of human activities. Although water is commonly used as an indicator of contamination by heavy metals, sediments are considered as water important in assessing the environmental situation. In this study, water and sediment samples were analyzed to assess the pollution status of heavy metals in Al-Ma'ail river, with the aim of determining its ability to sustain aquatic life. Samples were taken from five sites along Al-Ma'ail river between the branch area of Al-Ma'ail river from the Al-Kahla river (which also branches from Tigris River upon its exit from Amara City), until Al-Ma'ail river reaches pond of Umm Al-Na'aj (marshland). Ten Water and five sediment samples were collected in August 2020. Samples were analyzed for eight heavy metals: As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, V, Ni and Zn, using AAS techniques. As for the water samples, all the concentrations were over the standards (except Zn which was within the limits in all samples), While Cu concentration in (samples SW1 to SW7) are within the standards (except SW8 and SW9 are close U.S.EPA and within WHO). Concentrations of heavy metals in sediments were over the limits in all samples. The bio-concentration values of heavy metals were calculated and all metal rates were found within the acceptable range for the U.S. EPA, except for vanadium, which was higher than the permissible limit and was a bio-accumulative and considered as an indicator of oil pollution. The results indicate the presence of long-term contamination of the eight selected heavy metals in the river sediments which may be of concern to the health of the aquatic ecosystem.
Highlights
Al-Ma'ail river is one of the branches of the Al-Kahla river from the rivers that flow into the Umm Al-Na'aj pond and the Hawizeh Marshland
The goal of this study is to investigate and assess the spatial variation in the concentration of heavy metals in Al-Ma’ail river waters and sediments, the influence and effects of the industrial processes within Halfaya oil field on the environmental situation, even assess its suitability for different purposes by local people, besides determining its ability to sustain aquatic life
The obtained results showed that the heavy metal concentrations in surface water of Al-Ma'ail river were higher than the international and regional water quality standards except Cu at SW8 and SW9 are more than Iraqi Quality Standards (IQS) but within World Health Organization (WHO) and little more than United State Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) About SW10 was more than IQS standards and within the rest WHO and US EPA
Summary
Al-Ma'ail river is one of the branches of the Al-Kahla river from the rivers that flow into the Umm Al-Na'aj pond and the Hawizeh Marshland. On the left side of Al-Ma'ail river (Al- Zubayr) lies next to the Halfaya oil field extending along its length from its branching area from the Al-Kahla river to its outlet in the pond of Umm Al-Na'aj and Al-Hawizeh Marshland. The presence of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems is becoming an increasing problem of concern about their influence on plant and animal life, due to their tendency to remain as an environmental pollutant for a long time and to magnified through the food chain (Ogunfowokan, et al 2013). The goal of this study is to investigate and assess the spatial variation in the concentration of heavy metals in Al-Ma’ail river waters and sediments, the influence and effects of the industrial processes within Halfaya oil field on the environmental situation, even assess its suitability for different purposes by local people, besides determining its ability to sustain aquatic life. Many studies that dealt with the study of the effects of heavy metals due to their importance in determining environmental pollution and the risks of increasing or decreasing these metals on the environment and humans (Al-Obeidi and Al-Jumaily, 2020; AlJumaily and Al-Berzanje, 2020; Fatah et al 2020; Jumaah and Al-Shammaa, 2020)
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