Evaluation of Lead, Copper and Iron Concentrations in Cyprus papyrus and Rivers in Iraq

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ibraheem, Ahmed Ghalib^{; *} | Jawad, Maryam Mohammed Hussein M. | Aqeel Lami, Aqeel Mahmood Ali

Affiliations: Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Phamacy, Al-Mustansiriyah, University, Baghdad, Iraq | Department of Basic Science, College of Dentistry, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq | Department of Environment, Science College of Energy and Environmental Science, AlKarkh University, Baghdad, Iraq

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding Author. [email protected]

Abstract: In February 2023, samples were gathered from the research location. Five samples were taken from each leaf of the aquatic plant Cyprus papyrus, which is a member of the Cyperaceae family, as well as from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The primary heavy metals detected were lead (Pb), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu). Samples were collected from various areas in Iraq, including the Diyala River site, AL Rustamiya site, Karbala site, Babylon site, and AL-Rashdiya site as a control. The samples collected from each site consisted of water and Cyprus papyrus. The ICP-AES analysis successfully determined the concentration of elements in the samples. The results indicated that the Pb average concentration in plants varied across different sites, with the highest levels recorded in Diyala River, followed by AL Rustamiya, Babylon, Karbala, and Rashdiya sites (Control) at 3.67, 2.11, 0.55, 1.26, and 0.046 ppm, respectively. These values were compared with the UNEP standard of 0.01 ppm. Similarly, water samples also exhibited elevated levels of Pb average concentration in the same order of sites, with values of 2.97, 0.48, 0.41, 0.35, and 0.0891 ppm, compared with the UNEP standard of 0.005 ppm. Furthermore, the analysis of Fe average concentrations in plants revealed the highest levels in Diyala River, Babylon site, AL Rustamiya site, Karbala site, and Rashdiya (Control) at 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, and 0.1 ppm respectively. In water samples, Fe average concentrations were also found to be elevated in the same order of sites, with values of 1.3, 0.07, 0.06, 0.03, and 0.01 ppm. The presence of Cu was not detected in any of the samples collected from either plants or rivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in the Iraqi environment and examine their impact on living organisms.

Keywords: Heavy metal, Cyprus papyrus, lead, iron, copper

DOI: 10.3233/AJW240059

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 49-55, 2024