Heavy Metal Assessment for Water and Sediment in the Tigris River, Baghdad

In Iraq, the Tigris River provides an essential source of water, especially for domestic consumption, industry, and agriculture. However, increasing urban and industrial activities in Baghdad have intensified the risks of pollution. This study assessed physicochemical parameters (temperature, acidity, electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids, turbidity, hardness, biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and main ions) at three sites (Al-Jadriya, Al-Dora, and Al-Muthanna Bridge), during dry and wet seasons, along with heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Fe) in water and sediments. Results revealed that cadmium and lead concentrations in water exceeded national safety limits (cadmium: up to 0.346 mg/L; lead: up to 0.32 mg/L), while Ni showed a wet-season spike (4.53 mg/L) at Al-Jadriya. For sediments, on the other hand, it was found that Cd reached 6.42 mg/kg and Fe up to 93.37 mg/kg, both surpassing ISQG thresholds. Pollution indices (PI and MI) classified Cd as “seriously affected” across all sites, while Fe showed moderate to strong contamination in sediments. These findings highlight significant ecological risks and emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and pollution control strategies in the Baghdad stretch of the Tigris River.