Nickel, Lead and Zinc Contamination in the Surface Sediments of Agh Gel Wetland, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: Due to the increased human activities around the AghGel wetland, this study aimed to measured accumulations of heavy metals (Ni, Pb and Zn)in the surface sediment samples taken from this wetland.Materials & Methods: Samples were taken from 10 stations and exposed to bulk digestionand chemical partitioning. Finally, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations were monitored with ICPOESin the sediments. Also, geo-accumulation index, contamination factor and pollutionload index were used to evaluate the magnitude of contaminants in the sediment profile.Results: The results showed, the average of metal concentration in samples (mg kg-1 wetweight) were 34.20±3.58 for Ni, 25.37±2.52 for Pb and 127.20±15.21 for Zn, respectively.Therefore, the pattern of metal concentrations in sediment was determined as Zinc> Nickel> Lead. According to the mean I-geo values, sediments qualities are classified as unpollutedcategory for Ni and Pb. Also, sediment s quality is classified as unpolluted to moderatelypolluted for Zn. The CF values for all elements are classified as moderate contamination.The PLI values indicated that metal pollution exists for all sampling stations.Conclusions: The obtained results indicated that the Agh Gel wetland has a potential tothreaten by chemical pollutants such as agricultural effluent. So, in order to preserve theenvironment of the Agh Gel wetland from deterioration, monitoring of water and sedimentqualities is recommended periodically.

Keywords:

Heavy Metal , Aquaticecosystem , Surface sediment , Agh Gel wetland , Iran