The Effect of Heavy Water Waste on the Euphrates River in Increasing the Concentration of Some Heavy Metals:

Sanaa T.  Jawed; Ahmed Fareed  Shihab

doi:10.21070/pels.v7i0.1709

(1) Sanaa T. Jawed University of Thi-Qar- College of Education for Pure Sciences, Biology Department
Iraq
(2) * Ahmed Fareed Shihab General Directorate of Education, Thi-Qar. Iraq, Ministry of Education, Iraq
Iraq
(*) Corresponding Author

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21070/pels.v7i0.1709

Abstract

General Background: The Euphrates River, a vital water source for the Thi Qar Province, is increasingly threatened by pollution, particularly from heavy water waste. Specific Background: The river’s proximity to industrial activities, notably a thermal power station, has led to elevated concentrations of heavy metals, raising concerns about environmental and public health. Knowledge Gap: While prior studies have focused on water quality in various regions, there is limited research on the specific impact of heavy water waste on the Euphrates River’s heavy metal concentrations. Aims: This study aims to assess the concentration of heavy metals in the Euphrates River’s water and sediment, investigate the sources of pollution, and evaluate the effectiveness of current waste management practices. Results: The study, conducted from summer 2022 to spring 2023, revealed that in water samples, heavy metal concentrations followed the order Zn>Cu>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cd, while in sediment, the order was Ni>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Cd. Station 1, near the Nasiriyah thermal power station, exhibited the highest metal concentrations, emphasizing the influence of industrial pollution. Novelty: This research provides the first comprehensive assessment of heavy metal contamination in the Euphrates River linked specifically to heavy water waste, highlighting the critical impact of industrial discharges. Implications: The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced regulation and maintenance of heavy water treatment plants, as well as public awareness campaigns to mitigate pollution. Implementing these measures is crucial for protecting the river’s ecosystem and the health of communities relying on its waters

Highlights:

Station 1: Highest heavy metal levels near the thermal power station.
Industrial Waste: Major source of river pollution in the study area.
Call to Action: Strengthen regulations and raise public awareness on water protection.

Keywords : Heavy Metals, Euphrates River, Water Pollution, Sediment Contamination, Industrial Waste

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

. M. Haseena, M. F. Malik, A. Javed, S. Arshad, N. Asif, S. Zulfiqar, and J. Hanif, "Water Pollution and Human Health," Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, vol. 1, no. 3, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4066/2529-8046.100020

. A. A. Inyinbor, B. O. Adebesin, A. P. Oluyori, A. T. Adelani, A. O. Dada, and T. A. Oreofe, "Water Pollution: Effects, Prevention, and Climatic Impact," Water Challenges of an Urbanizing World, vol. 33, pp. 33-47, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72018

. R. R. Al-Ani, A. H. M. J. Al Obaidy, and R. M. Badri, "Assessment of Water Quality in the Selected Sites on the Tigris River, Baghdad-Iraq," International Journal of Advanced Research, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 1125-1131, 2014.

. A. Hamid, S. U. Bhat, and A. Jehangir, "Local Determinants Influencing Stream Water Quality," Applied Water Science, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1-16, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-1043-4

. A. A. A. Abbas and F. M. Hassan, "Water Quality Assessment of Euphrates River in Qadisiyah Province (Diwaniyah River), Iraq," The Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Science, vol. 48, no. 6, pp. 251-261, 2018.

. M. M. Ali, M. L. Ali, M. S. Islam, and M. Z. Rahman, "Preliminary Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water and Sediment of Karnaphuli River, Bangladesh," Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, vol. 5, pp. 27-35, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enmm.2016.01.002

. S. Muhammad and K. Ahmad, "Heavy Metal Contamination in Water and Fish of the Hunza River and Its Tributaries in Gilgit–Baltistan: Evaluation of Potential Risks and Provenance," Environmental Technology & Innovation, vol. 20, p. 101159, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2020.101159

. W. Mahmood, A. H. Ismail, and M. A. Shareef, "Assessment of Potable Water Quality in Balad City, Iraq," in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 518, no. 2, p. 022002, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/518/2/022002

. E. A. M. Salah, T. A. Zaidan, and A. S. Al-Rawi, "Assessment of Heavy Metals Pollution in the Sediments of Euphrates River, Iraq," Journal of Water Resource and Protection, vol. 4, no. 12, pp. 1009-1017, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2012.412117

. D. Pimental, B. Berger, D. Filiberto, M. Newton, B. Wolfe, E. Karabinakis, S. Clark, E. Poon, E. Abbett, and S. Nondagopal, "Water Resources: Agricultural and Environmental Issues," Bioscience Journal, vol. 54, no. 10, pp. 909-918, 2004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2004)054[0909:WRAAEI]2.0.CO;2

. B. A. Mahmood, "Environmental Properties and Analysis of the Euphrates River Within Anbar Governorate in Iraq," Iraq Journal of Desert Studies, vol. 11, no. 2, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36531/desert.2022.172742

. E. R. Jones, M. T. Van Vliet, M. Qadir, and M. F. Bierkens, "Country-Level and Gridded Estimates of Wastewater Production, Collection, Treatment and Reuse," Earth System Science Data, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 237-254, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-237-2021

. B. Windham, "Cognitive and Behavioural Effects of Toxic Metals (Over 150 Medical Study References)," Environmental Research and Remediation Journal, 2000. [Online]. Available: https://www.environmentalresearchjournal.com/issue.php?issue_id=15

. H. Chien and K. Pierce, "Impacts of Changed Stream Flow on Selected Water Quality Parameters in the Upper Esopus Creek Watershed of New York, USA," Journal of Geographic Earth Science, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 71-78, 2018.

. H. B. Nomas and R. A. A. Hashim, "The Qualitative Changes of the Euphrates River Between Nasiriyah and Qurnah and Their Implications for Development and the Environment," Basra Studies Journal, vol. 26, no. 1994-4721, 2017.

. N. M. M. Ismail, "Impact of Certain Chemical Fertilizers on Biological, Biochemical Parameters, Protein Patterns of Biomphalaria Alexandrina Snails and on Their Infection with Schistosoma Mansoni," Journal of Biological Chemistry and Environmental Science, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 499-528, 2009.

. IMRP, "Final Report USAID," Iraq Marshland Restoration Program, 2006.

. F. W. Gilcreas, "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water," American Journal of Public Health and the Nation's Health, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 387-388, 1966. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.56.3.387

. J. H. Mackereth, J. Heron, and J. F. Talliny, "Water Analysis: Some Revised Methods for Limnologists," Scientific Publications of the Freshwater Biological Association (England), vol. 36, pp. 1-120, 1978.

. M. I. Khan, M. Khisroon, A. Khan, N. Gulfam, M. Siraj, F. Zaidi, and F. Qadir, "Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Water, Sediments, and Tissues and Their Histopathological Effects on Anodonta Cygnea (Linea, 1876) in Kabul River, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan," BioMed Research International, vol. 2018, p. 101159, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1910274

. F. M. Hassan, "Limnological Features of Diwanyia River, Iraq," Baghdad Science Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 119-124, 2004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21123/bsj.1.1.119-124

. S. K. Alzurfi, "Seasonal Variation of Phytoplankton Biomass as Chlorophyll a and Its Relation to Iron and Manganese in Ibn-Najem Marsh, Iraq," Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 1393-1400, 2015.

. H. A. Al-Saadi, T. I. Kassim, A. A. Al-Lami, and S. K. Salman, "Spatial and Seasonal Variations of Phytoplankton Populations in the Upper Region of the Euphrates River, Iraq," Limnologica-Ecology and Management of Inland Waters, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 83-90, 2000. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0075-9511(00)80049-3

. O. M. Mustafa, "Impact of Sewage Wastewater on the Environment of Tanjero River and Its Basin Within Sulaimani City, NE-Iraq," M.Sc. Thesis, College of Science, University of Baghdad, 2006.

. B. A. Al-Aliayawi and M. Al-Nashi, "Detection of Water Pollution in the Diwaniyah River and Determining the Direct Impact of Residential Water Waste in Raising the Severity of Pollution," Al-Qadisiyah Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 92-103, 2001.

. G. E. Hutchinson, A Treatise on Limnology, Vol 1: Geography, Physics and Chemistry. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1957.

. Z. M. Ibrahim, "A Quantitative, Qualitative and Environmental Study of Phytoplankton in the Euphrates River at the City of Nasiriyah / Iraq," M.Sc. Thesis, College of Science, Thi-Qar University, 2011.

. H. T. Al-Saad, "Oil Spill in Oil Refinery-Case Study," Marina Mesopotamica, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 453-458, 2000.

. Q. M. Al-Taher, M. M. Akbar, and I. H. Al-Qarooni, "Estimation of Heavy Metals in Water, Sediments and Bioaccumulation in Pseudodontopsis Euphraticus and Bellamya Bengalensis in Euphrates River in Al-Nassiriyah City/South of Iraq," Plant Archives, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 1454-1460, 2020.

. Ministry of Environment, "Study of Pollution with Heavy Metals in the Soil in the City of Baghdad," Department of Environment Baghdad, 2007.

. B. Y. AlKhafaji, "Trace Metals Distribution in Fish Tissues (Cyprinus Carpio and Barbus Luteus) and Sediments from Al-Msab Alamm River Near the Center of Al-Nassiriya City," University of Thi-Qar Journal of Science, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 22-30, 2012.

. A. T. Farhood, "Study of Effects of the Nassiriyah Thermal Energy Power Plant on Concentration of Some Trace Elements in Water, Sediment and Two Aquatic Plant Species on Euphrates River in Nassyriah City, South Iraq," M.Sc. Thesis, College of Science, University of Thi-Qar, 2012.

. F. M. Hassan, M. M. Saleh, and J. M. Salman, "A Study of Physicochemical Parameters and Nine Heavy Metals in the Euphrates River, Iraq," E-Journal of Chemistry, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 685-692, 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/906837

. B. Y. Al-Khafaji, "Distribution Pattern of Selected Heavy Metals in Water, Sediment and Two Species of Fish from Al-Hammar Marsh South of Iraq," in Proceedings of the Fifth Scientific Conference, 2010, pp. 115-124.

. M. A. Habeeb, A. K. Al-Bermani, and J. M. Salman, "Environmental Study of Water Quality and Some Heavy Metals in Water, Sediment and Aquatic Macrophytes in Lotic Ecosystem, Iraq," Mesopotamia Environmental Journal, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 66-84, 2015.

. C. Fernandes, A. Fontainhas-Fernandes, F. Peixoto, and M. A. Salgado, "Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Liza Saliens from the Esmoriz–Paramos Coastal Lagoon, Portugal," Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 426-431, 2007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2006.02.007

The Effect of Heavy Water Waste on the Euphrates River in Increasing the Concentration of Some Heavy Metals

Pengaruh Limbah Air Berat di Sungai Eufrat dalam Meningkatkan Konsentrasi Beberapa Logam Berat

Abstract

Downloads

References