Evaluation of environmental pollution by heavy metals in the waters of Al-Ezz River north of Basra

Abstract

This study was conducted on the Al-Ezz River in the Al-Qurna district, north of Basra city, seasonally from Autumn 2022 to summer 2023 at five stations along the river. The purpose of the study was to assess the river's pollution and determine the highest concentrations of certain heavy elements in its water (Cobalt Co, Cadmium Cd, Manganese Mn, Zinc Zn, Iron Fe, Chrome Cr, Lead Pb, and Copper Cu). The highest concentrations of these elements were (0.095, 0.238, 0.323, 1.461, 1.592, 2.801, 8.015, 695.423) mg/l respectively, while the lowest concentrations of heavy elements were (Co=Not Detected, Fe= Not Detected, Mn= Not Detected, Cd=0.010, Zn= 0.033,Pb= 0.062, Cr= 0.129) mg/l. The strongest correlation is between lead and iron (r=0.99). Cadmium shows a positive correlation (r=0.97) with chrome, while copper has a positive correlation (r=0.97) with cobalt. There is a strong positive correlation between iron (r=0.99) and manganese, as well as between manganese (r=0.99) and iron. Zinc also exhibits a positive correlation (r=0.99) with cobalt, and chrome (r=0.98) shows a positive correlation with cadmium and cobalt (r=0.99) with zinc.