Study on Trace Elements (Mo, Cu, Hg and As) in Water and Sediments in Aras River in East Azerbaijan Province

Subject Areas : Water Pollution

M.  Ramin ¹ (Fisheries Research Institute, Research, Education and Promotion Organization, Tehran)
H.  Nasrollahzadeh Saravi ² (Iran Caspian Sea Ecology Research Institute, Research Institute of Fisheries Sciences of Iran, Organization for Research, Education and Promotion of Agriculture, Sari)
M.  Dostar ³ (Fisheries Research Institute, Research, Education and Promotion Organization, Tehran)
H.  Ghasemi ⁴ (Environmental Directorate of East Azarbaijan province)
N.  Pourang ⁵ (Fisheries Research Institute, Research, Education and Promotion Organization, Tehran)
M.  Baniamam ⁶ (Institute for Planning Research, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Tehran)

Received: 2017-04-10 Accepted : 2017-07-31 Published : 2017-12-21

Keywords: Sediment, water, elements, East Azerbaijan, Aras River,

Abstract :

This study was conducted to determine water quality of Aras River (Western Azerbaijan), based on metals (Mo, Cu, As, Hg) at four stations (From Julfa to 25km after Nourdos border) during four seasons from 2015 to 2016. Thirty two samples of water and sediments were collected. All samples were analyzed using standard methods (digestion and extraction), using an atomic absorption specphotometer instrument. Results showed that Mo, Cu, As and Hg concentrations in waterand sediments ranged between 0.10-23.01, 3.0-40.0, 0.02-0.81, 23.7-104.6 µg/l, and 0.1-111.6, 17.5-482.5, 0.001-0.145, 46.8-303.6 µg/g.dw, respectively. As a conclusion, water quality of Aras River was classified as class III (moderately polluted) based on mean concentration of Cu. Mo concentration was found to be less than permissible level. Water quality of Aras River was classified as class IV and II based on mean values of Hg and As, respectively. Maximum levels of Mo and Cu in surface sediments were found at stations 3 and 4 during all seasons, which is because of effluents and sewage from Mo, gold and other metal mines from Armenia. Mean concentration of As at surface sediment was higher than recommended standard value, but concentration of Hg was lower than recommended value.

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