Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in Sariyah River by Using (HPI) and (MI) Indices

The current study aimed to assess the water quality of Sariyah River and its contamination with some metals, and assess the possibility of using it for drinking purpose. This study was conducted by using two indices to evaluate the quality of water pollution with a number of heavy metals, which including: Metal Index (MI) and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI). Five sampling sites were selected during the winter and the summer seasons along the Sariyah River, from the beginning of the pumping station (Jalali) to the end of the river in Buhriz District. Five heavy metals were analysed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, the metals including: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B). The results shown that the average values of (HPI) index were (559.80) and (770.36) for the winter and summer seasons, respectively. This indicates that water of Sariyah River is seriously polluted by the examined heavy metals and cannot be used for domestic purpose without treatment. The mean values of the (MI) index were (22.58) and (27.27) for the winter and summer seasons, respectively; and were classified under the seriously affected category (>6) which also indicates that this water cannot be used for drinking purposes. This paper also revealed the effects of human-made sources on the water quality of the studied river.