Environmental Fate Modelling of Lead Contamination in Water and Sediments of Hawizeh Marshes

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the maximum concentration of lead in the water and sediments of Hawizeh Swamp during 2020-2021. Methods: The ECOFATE model was employed to calculate ecological risk parameters (RQ) along with total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), and total organic carbon (TOC) at four stations during summer and winter. Using the framework of environmental fate model of ECOFATE, comprehensive data on hydrological sections, input chemical quantities, chemical characteristics, and ecosystem attributes were measured. Results: The findings indicated that lead concentrations were at the highest level in both sediment and water samples of the wetland across three-dimensional space during summer and winter. TSS, TOC and TDS values were estimated, of which the TDS was used to measure ecological risk due to its higher values. Conclusion: The RQ values of lead indicated high and medium risk within the sedimentary and aquatic environments of the wetland ecosystem, respectively. Statistical calculations further revealed that this wetland was at risk of environmental pollution, posing potential hazards to humans through the food chain. The increase in the biological pollution of this wetland is due to the increase in the population and urban sewage. Therefore, it is imperative to raise public awareness regarding the significance of the wetland and advocate for its regular monitoring.