Heavy metals in water, suspended particles, sediments and aquatic plants of the upper region of Euphrates river, Iraq

Abstract

Six heavy metals namely Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn , Mn and Cu at the upper region of the Euphrates river in Iraq, were determined seasonally during 1993 in selected five stations in water, suspended particles, bottom sediments and aquatic plants. There was clear seasonal variation in their concentrations in filtered water. These concentrations were much higher in the suspended particles with a manifest local variations. While their values in the bottom sediments were much lower than that found in the suspended particles, with clear local variations among the studied stations. Mn was the highest concentration in the sediments among the studied metals at all seasons, whereas Cd was the lowest. Four aquatic plants were also considered and found that they accumulated higher concentrations of Mn and Zn. The status of the heavy metals and their evaluation as a pollutant source in the studied area were discussed.