Metal pollution status of Tajan River – Northern Iran

ABSTRACT

The monitoring of surface water quality of rivers is crucial to protect aquatic life and receiving water bodies of economic importance. The aim of the current study was to examine selected physicochemical parameters of River Tajan due to its ecological importance in Iran. Water samples from nine points covering the entire Tajan River and Caspian Sea estuary were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), carbonates, chlorides and selected heavy metals including zinc, cadmium, lead and chromium. The pH and levels of EC, TDS, chlorides, carbonates and all metals were within the USEPA reference guidelines for surface water quality standards. Although these water quality parameters are considered safe, continuous monitoring and assessment is recommended in order to protect the coastal receiving waters of Caspian Sea which serves as a tourist attraction in northern Iran.

KEYWORDS:

• Water quality
• Tajan River
• physicochemical parameters
• heavy metals
• Caspian Sea

Acknowledgments

The authors greatly acknowledge Tavakkol laboratory staff (Sari City of Iran) who carried out metal analyses for the current study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.