Applied Heavy Metals Pollution Index (HPI) as a Water Pollution Indicator of Shatt Al-Arab River, Basrah-Iraq

Abstract

Five stations were selected at the middle part of Shatt Al-Arab river to determine the monthly variation of seven eco-toxic elements (Cd +2 , Cu +2 , Fe +2 , Mn +2 , Ni +2 , Pb +2 and Zn +2 ) concentrations and their distribution as dissolved and particulate (exchangeable and residual) phases during the low tide period from December, 2012 to November, 2013. Heavy Metals Pollution Index (HPI) was applied to determine the pollution of Shatt Al-Arab water. Results showed that the concentrations of the previous metals as dissolved phase were (3.01; 2.35; 89.45; 4.48; 9.51; 43.67 and 7.58) µg/l, respectively, whereas in the exchangeable phase of particulate were (48.56; 53.22; 8968.76; 1748.58; 120.14; 271.52; 243.16) µg/g dry weight respectively and in the residual phase of particulate were (57.59; 88.68; 21571.74; 365.90; 163.39; 388.44 and 219.42) µg/g dry weight respectively. The results indicated that mean HPI values were found to be above the critical pollution index value of 100. HPI values for the presence study were ranged from 130.41 to 196.97 referred to polluted water caused by the world impermissible values of dissolved Pb, Fe and Cd.