Abstract
This study was carried out to examine heavy metals concentration in water and sediment of upstream and downstream of the entry of the sewage to the Tembi River, Iran. Samples were collected from upstream and downstream and were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results indicated that the average concentration of the metals in water and sediment on downstream was more than that of upstream. The comparison of the mean concentrations of heavy metals in water of the Tembi River with drinking water standards and those in the water used for agriculture suggests that the mean concentration of Cu and Zn lies within the standard range for drinking water and the mean concentration of Mn, Zn, and Pb lies within the standard range of agricultural water. The highest average concentration on downstream for Pb in water and for Mn in sediment was 1.95 and 820.5 ppm, respectively. Also, the lowest average concentration on upstream was identified for Cd in water and sediment 0.07 and 10 ppm, respectively. With regard to the results, it gets clear that using the water for recreational purposes, washing, and fishing is detrimental to human health and the environment.
Highlights
The entry of contaminants into the environment due to human and natural activities is one of the most important issues facing today’s communities
The importance of water resources, surface waters, in meeting the water needs of humans, animals and industries indicates the essential need to protect them against contamination
The mean concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Nis and Zn in water and sediment samples before and after the sewage entry into the Tembi River is presented with their standard deviations in Tables 1 and 2
Summary
The entry of contaminants into the environment due to human and natural activities is one of the most important issues facing today’s communities. The entry of municipal, industrial, and agricultural waste into the environment is another way of the environment pollution by human. Industrial, and agricultural waste enters the water, biological and chemical contaminants including heavy metals enter water resources. Some of these metals are essential as micronutrients, their high concentration in the food chain can cause toxicity and environmental impacts and endanger aquatic ecosystems and their users [2, 3]. Regarding the above-mentioned issues and due to the fact that it is a place for the migration of birds in cold seasons as well as for public promenade, swimming, and Journal of Environmental and Public Health
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