Heavy metal concentration (Cu, V, Ni and Al) and determination of surface waters quality in Gorganroud River for aquatic life

Environmental pollution is a world-wide problem and pollutants resulting from heavy metals are one of the important one. The progress of industries has led to increased emission of pollutants into ecosystems. In this study, concentrations of heavy metals Cu, V, Ni and Al in surface waters of Gorganroud River measured in 15 sampling sites in spring 2010. For determination of heavy metals concentrations in surface waters we used Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The minimum and maximum amounts of these heavy metals were 0.27-62.07mg/l; 9-299mg/l; 2.20-121.30mg/l and 0.10-172.9mg/l for Cu, V, Ni and Al, respectively. The results also show that a heavy metals concentration has increased along the river from upstream to downstream.According to the instruction ECE (based on aluminum, copper and nickel) in surface water quality for aquatic life, Gorganroud River is classified in class 5 (aluminum and copper) and class 2 (Ni).