Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Sirwan River by Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HIP) and Metal Index (MI)

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the quality of Sirwan River water based on its heavy metal contents by using two of the most recent indexes regarding heavy metals which are: the heavy metal pollution index HIP and metal index MI. In this term, twenty four (24) stations sampling were selected along with 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 an Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP). The average value of the HPI index was found to be (47.2) and (12.8) for drinking and irrigation uses respectively which indicates water in Sirwan River is seriously polluted for drinking purposes; while, it falls under (the pure) class for irrigation uses. Also, the results of (MI) for domestic and irrigation uses were seen to be (5.7) which falls under the (seriously affected) class and (0.65) under the (pure) class respectively. Therefore, the study revealed the effect of man-made sources on the pollution load of Sirwan River water.