Evaluation of Total Hydrocarbons Levels and Traces Metals in Water and Sediment from Main Outfall Drain in Al-Nassiriya City/Southern Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted during Dec2011-Nov2012 on three stations located in the south sector of Main Outfall Drain (MOD) River. Station 1 was near Al-Holandee Bridge which was the general carriage way in the center of Al-Nassiriya city, station 2 was 20 km far from the first station, while station 3 was in the beginning of the new branch. This study reveals the Seasonal Variation of Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in both surface waters, sediment and it is related with trace metals nickel and vanadium in water (dissolved, particulate) and sediment (residual and exchan-geable) phases. Also, the study shows the relationships between the concentration of Ni and V with Total Organic Carbon (TOC%) in the sediment.