Monitoring Pollution of the Tigris River in Baghdad by Studying Physico-chemical Characteristics

Abstract

Montazer K. Mensoor, Ali Said and Zainab K Mansoor

The current study aimed at monitoring, exploring and identifying pollution levels in the Tigris River by studying seasonal variations of the physical and chemical characteristics of the river water in Baghdad. Monthly water samples were collected from four locations along the Tigris River in Baghdad for 12 months period. The studied characteristics of the current study included surface water temperature, pH, turbidity, salinity, electrical conductivity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total hardness, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, phosphate, nitrate, and Sulphate. The results showed that the mean values of all the studied physical and chemical characteristics except pH, temperature, and phosphate were higher than the acceptable limits of the Iraqi river water guidelines and international standards. The current study concluded that the Tigris River water was heavily polluted from untreated sewage discharge and other industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities. The study recommended immediate measures to be taken to end the nonstop inflow of sewage and wastes into the Tigris River water from the residential, commercial, and institutional activities in Baghdad

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