Distribution of Heavy Metals in Parts of Diyala River (Basin), Iraq

Abstract

Diyala River (Middle-Lower) Basin water was analyzed for (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn ) in order to determine; heavy metals distribution, pollution sources, the influence of human activities and natural processes. Ten water samples were collected along Diyala River from Kalar region to the meeting point of Diyala river and Tigris river southern Baghdad city. The results had been shown that Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb concentrations were higher than the acceptable limits of the WHO, 2006 guideline and Iraqi guideline, 2009 for drinking water, while Cu and Zn concentrations were within acceptable limits a according to the mentioned guidelines. The most enriched metals were Cr and Pb, and the occurrence of metal generally ranked in the order Cr > Pb > (Zn, Ni, Co) > Cu > Cd. The occurrence of these heavy metals contributed as a result of both natural processes and human resources of pollution and affected by many chemical variables in aquatic environment such as; pH, oxidation states, oxidation and reduction effort, mobility, organic matter and hardness. These heavy metals considerable polluted elements to water. The presence of heavy metals above the acceptable limits could be toxic to aquatic organisms and harmful to human beings and that toxicity can cause several health effects.