Estimating Heavy Metal Concentrations in The Waters and Sediments of Shatt Al-Hilla Within Babylon Governorate

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of selected heavy metals, namely cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), in the waters and sediments of Shatt Al-Hilla, Babylon Governorate, Iraq. Three sampling sites were selected along the river course: Al- Bu’alwan in the northern part of Babylon, the city center of Al-Hilla, and Al-Qasim district in the southern part of the governorate. Seasonal sampling was conducted from January to October 2023 to evaluate temporal variations. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using standard analytical procedures and quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest concentrations recorded in sediments were 24.86 μg kg⁻¹ for Co, 165.5 μg kg⁻¹ for Ni, 1.09 μg kg⁻¹ for Cd, and 2.01 μg kg⁻¹ for Pb. In water samples, maximum values reached 0.1921 mg L⁻¹ (Co), 0.258 mg L⁻¹ (Ni), 0.03614 mg L⁻¹ (Cd), and 0.0969 mg L⁻¹ (Pb). The highest concentrations of all investigated metals were observed at Al-Qasim site, particularly during the summer season. Although spatial and seasonal variations were evident, all measured concentrations remained within internationally permissible limits.