Study of Some Chemical Properties and Concentrations of Lead, Cadmium and Nickel Elements of Drainage Water in Babylon Governorate – Iraq

Abstract

Abstract This study was prepared for the purpose of demonstrating the possibility of utilizing wastewater for irrigation purposes, as eight stations were identified for study in Babylon Governorate in the winter and summer seasons of the year 2022. The pH values ranged from (0.02-8.13) in stations (9 and 3) in the winter and (2022) seasons. 7.44-9.3) at stations (9 and 3) in the summer season, and the electrical conductivity values ranged from (1.12-9.9) DS. m-1 at stations (9 and 6) in the winter season and (4.52-10.39) DS. m-1 at stations (9). 6) In the summer season, calcium ion concentrations were recorded (6.6-18.98) Meq. L−1 at stations (10 and 3) in the winter season, and (6.5-26.03) Meq. L−1 at stations (9 and 3) in In the summer season, magnesium concentrations ranged from (2.5-15.1) Meq.L-1 in stations (9 and 6) in the winter season and (5.8-22.3) Meq.L-1 in stations (9 and 6) in the summer season, while The concentrations of potassium ions in the water of the study stations ranged between (0.52-0.94) mg L−1 in stations (9 and 6) in the winter season and (0.62-1.29) mg L-1 in stations 9 and 6) in the summer season. Sodium (0.13-0.86) mg L-1 in stations (6 and 9) in the winter season and (0.15-0.96) mg L−1 in stations (9 and 9) in the summer season. The concentrations of chloride and sulfate ions in the water of the study stations also varied as Chloride ions were recorded (10-38.6) Meq. L−1 at stations (9 and 4) in the winter season, and (11.4-64) Meq. L−1 at stations (9 and 10) in the summer season. Concentrations of sulfate ions were recorded in water. The study stations are (10-38.5) Meq L−1 in stations (9 and 6) in the winter season and (11.4-54) Meq L−1 in stations (9 and 6) in the summer season. The results of the study showed that the concentrations of (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfates) are high in the summer season due to the industrial wastes and agricultural activities that throw fertilizers and pesticides into the sewage water, in addition to high temperatures and increased evaporation processes, which leads to Increasing their concentration, and the highest concentrations of heavy metals were recorded in the septic tank water for the summer season, higher than their concentrations in the winter season. The concentrations of lead, camium, and nickel ranged from (0.25-2.21) mg L−1 - and (0.01-0.06) mg L−1 - and (0.31- 2.34) mg L−1 in stations (9 and 3), (9 and 4) and (10 and 3) in the winter season, respectively, and (0.45-3.23) mg L−1, (0.01-0.07) and (0.31-2.34) in Stations (9 and 3), (9 and 4), and (3 and 10) in the summer season. The reason for this is the disposal of waste from agricultural activities and sewage waste, as well as excessive fertilization and low efficiency of the fertilizers used, which are thrown into nearby drains and then adsorbed on the clay particles or deposited at the bottom of the drains. This is what happened in stations (3 and 4), while the cases were not like that in the rest of the stations. The study also showed that the concentration of lead and cadmium was within the permissible limits, except for cadmium, which exceeded the permissible limits.