Assessment of heavy metal pollution in Sirwan River by heavy metal pollution index (HIP) and metal index (MI)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of Sirwan River water with respect to its heavy metal contents by using two of most recent index regarding heavy metal which are: heavy metal pollution index HIP and metal index MI. In this study, twenty four (24) stations sampling were selected along the Sirwan River from downstream of Darbandikhan Dam to the border of Jalawlaa Sub-district. Seven heavy metals including: Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickle (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) were analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP). The average value of HPI index was found to be (47.2) and (12.8) for drinking and irrigation uses respectively, which indicates that water in Sirwan River is seriously polluted in respect to drinking purpose; while, it is fall under (pure) class for irrigation uses. Also, the results of (MI) for domestic and irrigation uses were found to be (5.7) which fall under (seriously affected) class and (0.65) under (pure) class respectively. Therefore, the study revealed the effect of man-made sources on the pollution load of Sirwan River water.