Metal Contamination in the Sediments of Tidal Flat for Iraq Costal

In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals were measured, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for 16 sediment samples collected at different stations in Kour Al-zuber during 2015. To assess the levels of sediment contaminations, the background values of the different elements were defined, depending on the international standards in add the metal contamination in the sediments was also evaluated by applying enrichment factor (EF), Contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (I-geo), pollution load index (PLI), Degree of Contamination (dC) and Modified Degree of Contamination (mdC). The mean concentrations measured in mg/kg were 70.3112.39 for Co, 657.02152.39 for Mn, 12.202.51 for Ni, 95.3835.92 for Zn, In case of Co. Zn at most of sites, their concentrations in the sediments were more than the background values. However, the average values for Mn and Ni their concentrations in the sediments were less than the background values. In general, the order contamination factors of heavy metals in the present study could be arranged is Cogreater thanZngreater thanNigreater than Mn. Considering All assessing criteria, Co is Responsible for significant amount of heavy metal contamination, while Zn was responsible for moderate to high contamination. Station 3 contains highest amount of heavy metals contamination and station 3 Contains lowest amount of heavy metal contamination. The relatively high levels of Co and Zn in Kour Al-zuber tidal flat sediments are due to the discharges of untreated wastewater of desalination plant, electrical power station, refinery plant, textile industry, oil spills from the oil pipes, as well as domestic wastewater.