Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution of Surface Sediments in Wadi Shu'ayb, Jordan

Stream sediment samples (n = 20) were collected from Wadi Shu'ayb area, extracted and then subjected to Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) analysis for determining the heavy metal concentration. Calciometry method was used to determine the COR 3RP 2− P content and loss on ignition at 555°C was used to determine the total organic matter. The average concentrations of Zn and Cd in the sediment samples were higher than those in uncontaminated sediments, probably due to anthropogenic sources such as fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural activities as well as the effluent of the Salt and Fuhays treatment plant. Correlation analysis revealed positive correlations among the values of Zn, Cd, Mn, Fe, Pb, TOM and COR 3RP 2− Pand negative correlations among the values of TOM, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb and COR 3RP 2− P. These results indicate that heavy metals in the sediments of Wadi Shu'ayb have different anthropogenic and natural sources and confirm the complicated behavior of these metals. The sediment pollution assessment was performed by using the geoaccumulation index, pollution load index and enrichment factor. Igeo results revealed that the sediments of Wadi Shu'ayb were uncontaminated with Cu, Zn, Mn and Pb; moderately contaminated with Cd; and heavily contaminated with Fe. The PLI values of <1 indicated that the sediments were unpolluted with Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn, Fe and Pb. The calculation of EF showed that Cu, Zn and Pb were depleted (0.108, 0.031 and 0.379 ppm, respectively), whereas Mn and Cd were enriched (3.48 and 21.12 ppm, respectively) in the sediments.