:: Volume 6, Issue 2 (3-2019) ::
jehe 2019, 6(2): 213-226 Back to browse issues page
Monitoring of Heavy Metals Contamination (Pb, Zn, Cr and Cu) in Sediments of Balkhlou River of Ardebil by Implication of Sediment pollution Indices
Maryam Shaddel , Samar Mortazavi * , Lima Tayebi , Behnaz Raheli namin
Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
Abstract:   (2592 Views)
Background: Water contamination of heavy metals is one of the major threats to human health and
food chain. In this study, concentration of heavy metals of lead, chromium, copper and zinc in
sediment was measured in order to assess their ecological effects and their risk.
Methods: To determine the concentration of metals, 12 stations were selected along the river and 3
samples from the sediment were taken in each station. After the preparation and acid digestion of the
samples, the concentration of these metals was determined using atomic absorption device.
Results: The average total concentration of lead, copper, chromium and zinc metals in sediments was
obtained in mg / kg (22.24±8.08). The results showed that the pollution load and ecological risk of
heavy metals in the area are in lower risk category. The environmental hazard of metals was also
evaluated (zinc lead). Also, by calculating the geochemical index of molars and
contamination coefficient of Balkhloo sediments, the pollution of heavy metals was classified with
zero degree of contamination and in non-contaminated area.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the contamination and the ecological risk level of metals in the
sediments of the region are evaluated at a low level.
Keywords: Heavy metals, ecological risk assessment, sediment quality index, Balkhloo
Full-Text [PDF 416 kb]   (2087 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2019/03/18 | Accepted: 2019/03/18 | Published: 2019/03/18



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