Comparative study of heavy metals between water and sediment for Euphrates river in Al-Muthanna Province

Concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium, chromium, and lead were determined in water and sediments of Euphrates River from November 2019 to October 2020. Samples were collected seasonally from three sites (Al-Hilal, Center of Samawa, and Al-Abbas district). Annual means of heavy metals were (1.75, 0.81, 1.23, 1.71, and 0.81) μg/l respectively in dissolved phase and (3.56, 39.81, 2.64, 6.99, and 7.14) μg/g dry weight respectively in particulate phase. While in sediments concentrations were (1.3, 1.25, 0.27, 0.23, and 8.64) μg/g dry weight respectively in exchangeable phase and (2.11, 4.78, 0.2, 2.93, and 0.61) μg/g dry weight respectively in residual phase. Results showed that concentrations of heavy metals in water exceeded acceptable limits.