A Study of Some Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals in the Diwaniyah River / Euphrates, Iraq

Metals tend to accumulate in water and move up through the food chain. So, studies to ascertain the level of heavy metals in environment and determine potentially hazardous levels for human are necessary. Samples were monthly collected from three sites along the Diwaniyah river, during Autumn 2012 to Summer 2013. In this investigation, concentration of four heavy metals copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (pb) in water and sediments have been determined. In addition, some physiochemical parameters of water were investigated. Heavy metal concentrations were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the highest concentrations of heavy metals in water and sediment samples were related to pb and Zn. However, the observed heavy metals concentrations in water and sediments were below the recommended limits for WHO. The investigation showed elevating levels of heavy metals in environment. Thus, a serious notification to industrial and manmade pollution, which can lead to ecosystem and food chain contamination, is necessary.