DETERMINATION OF MERCURY IN WATER AND SEDIMENT FROM QARMAT – ALI AND PAPER FACTORY ALONG SHATT AL-ARAB RIVER

Abstract

The determination of mercury achieved by means of Cold Hg Vapor Atomic Absorption (CVAAS ) was determined in the water and sediment samples from 7 locations at Qarmat –Ali and paper factory along shatt Al-Arab river during 2006 ,also some physical and chemical parameters were obtained during this study. The results showed low Hg content of water at station (2) (0.06 μg/ml), whereas high content of Hg has been found (0.083 μg/ml) at station (1). Another hand the lower conc. of mercury in the sediment samples recorded at station (3)(0.32 μg/g) and higher conc. observed at station (5)(0.39 μg/g). The main source of Hg in the discharge of paper factory is expected from electric cells of chlorine unit. The result also shown that conc. of mercury in sediment higher than in the water samples; This is the first study carried out in this region, and could serve as a baseline in this important area.