Comparative Study for the Levels of Trace Elements in Water from Southern Part of Iraq during 1996 – 2010

Abstract

A comparative study for the levels of trace elements in water from southern part of IRAQ for the period
of time 1996 to 2010 was carried out to investigate the quality of waters. The study is based on the chemical
analysis of trace elements: Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. For subsurface water samples covered 12
stations along Al-Izz , Tigress, Euphrates, Shatt Al-Arab, Khor Al-Zubair, Shatt Al-Basrah and Main Outlet
Drainage (MOD) rivers. Spectrophotometry was adopted for this analysis. The results showed that levels of
trace elements were between those for dissolved phase and particular matter of water in region which
normally analyzed by atomic spectrometer. Trace elements concentrations reported by this study were higher
than allowed levels by WHO and IRPR without any classification of the phase studied. Fluctuation of
elements concentrations in the area attributed to metal input as well as geochemical and hydrological
characteristics of the water.