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Abstract
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Article Information:
Assessment of Heavy Metal in Surface Sediments of Day River at Beni-Mellal Region, Morocco
A. Barakat, M. El Baghdadi, J. Rais and S. Nadem
Corresponding Author: A. Barakat
Submitted: June 04, 2012
Accepted: June 23, 2012
Published: August 20, 2012 |
Abstract:
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The Day River receives domestic and industrial untreated wastewaters from Beni-Mellal city and
surrounding villages during the last decades. The present study was to obtain a preliminary assessment about the
level and distribution of six heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe) in its surface sediment collected from 13
stations. The metal concentrations (in mg/kg) ranged: Cd, 0.6-6.27; Cr, 52.34-311.69; Cu, 32.69-740.75; Pb, 72.93-
140.36; Zn, 49.84-149.19; and Fe, 15670-36010. Significant spatial variation in concentrations was observed for all
metals. Correlation analyses showed that metal content of sediment was controlled by organic matter and Fe
contents. Pollution status was evaluated using the enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index and pollution load
index and sediment quality guidelines. Based on geoaccumulation index and enrichment factors, Day sediment was
treated as unpolluted to moderately polluted with Zn, Fe, Cr and Cu and moderate to considerable with Pb and Cd.
Pollution load index and sediment quality guidelines showed that the metal levels exceed local and regional
background concentrations, indicating contamination is high enough to be of risk to human health and ecosystem.
Key words: Contamination , heavy metals, quantitative indexes, sediment, wastewater, ,
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Cite this Reference:
A. Barakat, M. El Baghdadi, J. Rais and S. Nadem, . Assessment of Heavy Metal in Surface Sediments of Day River at Beni-Mellal Region, Morocco. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (08): 797-806.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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