Clay fractions (<2µm) from ten stream sediments were collected from the Euphrates River between AlQaim-Haditha area in the western desert of Iraq. The clay fractions were analyzed for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The aim of this research is to study the extent to which the industrial waste liquids from chemical complex of phosphates pollute stream sediments of Euphrates River. The total metal concentrations in the clay fraction are placed in the following descending order: Sr> Zn> Cr> Ni> Co> Pb> Cu> Cd. Contamination factor pollution load index, geo-accumulation index, the metal contamination index, and potential ecological risk index were calculated to evaluate the environmental impacts of these heavy metals. The study area was found to be highly contaminated with Cd and Ni, moderately contaminated with Co, Pb and Sr, and uncontaminated with Cr, Cu and Zn. 100% of Cd and 93% of Sr were concentrated in the extracted part of the clay fraction, suggesting that Cd is totally derived from the industrial and human activities in the studied area, and Sr which can be attributed to the carbonates of Euphrates Formation as its source which dominate the geology of the area.

No abstract

No abstract

The hydrochemical characteristics of surface water are studied to understand their source, type of water, and evolution. This study aims to determine the hydrochemical characteristics and controlling factors, by evaluating the water quality of the Sidakan-Balakyan River. The samples were collected along the Sidakan-Balakyan River to the junction point of the Sidakan-Rwanduz Rivers, for each sample, physical (pH, EC, Temperature, Turbidity, TDS and T.H) and chemical parameters (Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Na+, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42- and NO3-) were analyzed. The results showed that all water samples were within the acceptable range. The results obtained from the Piper and Chadha diagram indicate that the studied water samples during High Flow Period is Mg- Bicarbonate type as well as Ca+2 and SO4-2, whereas during Low Flow Period in Sidakan river is Mg2+- Bicarbonate, But in Balakyan and Rwanduz rivers are Ca2+- Bicarbonate. Moreover, based on Gibbs Diagram, water samples were distributed in the rock weathering dominance section. Based on TDS and T.H of water samples were found to be moderately hard fresh water. Additionally, the river water can not be used for drinking directly. Most samples have a good to excellent water quality index except for some samples which are unsuitable during High Flow Period.