Assessment of Trace Elements Pollution in Sediments & Water of some Rivers in Karbala City

This study aims to assess the levels of trace element pollution, specifically cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), in the sediments and water of the Al-Hussainiya River and Shatt Al-Hindiya River in Karbala City, Iraq. The research was conducted over five months, from November 2022 to March 2023, with samples collected at seven different stations. The analysis focused on determining monthly variations in the concentrations of these elements and their correlation with environmental factors. The study employed Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) for the quantification of trace metals. The results indicated significant spatial and temporal variations in Pb and Cd concentrations, with the highest levels recorded at station 6 in January (Pb: 22.9967 µg/L in water, 26.74 mg/kg in sediment) and station 7 in November (Cd: 3.68 µg/L in water, 7.767 mg/kg in sediment). The elevated levels of these metals are attributed to human activities, such as industrial discharges and wastewater runoff. These findings raise concerns about the ecological and health risks posed by metal contamination in these river systems.