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Heavy metal and anionic contamination in the water and sediments in Al-Mujib reservoir, central Jordan

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Abstract

Sixty-five sediment samples and 25 water samples were collected from Al-Mujib reservoir, central Jordan, in order to investigate the heavy metal and ionic contamination assessment. Therefore, to achieve this aim, water and sediment samples were collected during winter and summer seasons (2007) from Al-Mujib reservoir and the areas surrounding it. The study shows that there are elevated levels of SO4 2−, Cl− and Na+ in reservoir water, which might originate from anthropogenic activities in the reservoir catchment area. In addition, the reservoir water has higher total hardness (TH) values together with high Ca and Mg contents. This might be attributed to pH of reservoir water and the nature of the rocks exposed in the catchment area. The average levels of heavy metals in reservoir sediments are Fe = 14,888.1, Cu = 17.8, Zn = 88.6, Ni = 38.7, Cd = 4.4, Mn = 337.9 and Pb = 6.1 mg/kg, which are lower than that observed in Wadi Al-Arab reservoir, northern Jordan. The values of enrichment factor are Cd = 35.5, Ni = 3.02, Zn = 2.54, Cu = 1.26, Mn = 1.2 and Pb = 0.57; these values indicate that heavy metals in sediments of Al-Mujeb reservoir have a different anthropogenic incrimination inputs. The study showed that the sediments are polluted with Cd, relatively contaminated with Ni and Zn and uncontaminated with respect to Mn, Pb and Cu.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Prince Faisal center for Dead Sea, water and energy studies for providing us with analytical facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, Mutah University, Al-Karak, 61710, Jordan

    Waleed Manasreh, Iyad Hailat & Tayel Mahmoud El-Hasan

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  1. Waleed Manasreh
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  2. Iyad Hailat
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  3. Tayel Mahmoud El-Hasan
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Correspondence to Tayel Mahmoud El-Hasan.

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Manasreh, W., Hailat, I. & El-Hasan, T.M. Heavy metal and anionic contamination in the water and sediments in Al-Mujib reservoir, central Jordan. Environ Earth Sci 60, 613–621 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0201-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0201-7

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