Study of heavy metal in sediment and wastewater adjacent to Tembi River in Masjed Soleiman, Khuzestan

This study was carried out to investigate the concentration of heavy metals of Ni, Cd, Pb, As, Fe, Cr in municipal sewage discharge, urban wastewater and industrial effluent are pumped to the Tembi River. Sampling carried from 10 water and wastewater and 10 sediments. The results of ICP-MMS analysis showed the mean concentration (in ppm) for water sample for As 1/23, Zn 17/71, Cr 0/8, Ni 1.11, Cd 0.09, Pb 6/35, Fe 132/50 and mean concentration of heavy metals in sediment sample for As 0.91, Zn 23/96, Cr 91/50, Ni 56/10, Cd 0/16, Pb 10/40, Fe 14950. Based on the results obtained from the index of enrichment factor, Ni and Cr concentration showed the medium to high pollution level. Based on the molar accumulation land index, Ni and Zn concentration were in the range of moderate to high levels of pollution, and is highly contaminated in all areas with high Fe concentrations. Based on the pollution load factor sediment, It is contaminated with Ni, Cd, Fe and Cr. Based on contamination coefficient at point SA-02 the concentration of Pb and Zn in the sediment is high and As is also contaminated in site C and Ni, Cd, Fe and Cr concentration is high and the sediment is contaminated but there is no heavy metal contamination elsewhere. Tembi River receives untreated municipal and industrial wastewater. According to the results obtained, the Tembi River is in a danger and unsafe area for fishing and swimming purposes.