Estimation of the Concentration of Some Heavy Metals in Groundwater in Rutba City

Abstract

Toxic metal pollutants in groundwater should be identified to prevent future health risks. In this paper, the presence of heavy metals in groundwater in the western region of Iraq was investigated. The heavy metals concentrations, including Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Cd2+, As3+ and Hg2+ were explored in twenty selected aquifers near Rutba City and the results were presented as spatial distribution maps. Findings indicate that contamination with the investigated heavy metal ions possesses a serious threat to the study area's groundwater quality when compared to WHO and IEPA guideline values. Thus, a new approach to remove or adsorb heavy metal ions can be developed for large-scale production and the safe use of these aquifers water. Results revealed that the highest concentrations in mg/L1 of 2.312 in w19, 1.098 in w2, 5.78 in w17, 0.292 in w9, 3.349 in w5, 0.32 in w13, 0.074 in w11 and 5.622 in w1 for Zn2+, Cr3+, As3+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ were recorded, respectively.