Assessment of the anthropogenic influx of metallic pollutants in Yarmouk River, Jordan |
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| Authors: | Y Abu-Rukah H A Ghrefat |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan e-mail: yaburukah@yu.edu.jo, JO |
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| Abstract: | Chemical data for 15 elements at depths at 10-cm intervals in 6 cores at two locations along the Yarmouk River as well as
the heavy-metal enrichment factors (EFs) and anthropogenic factors (AFs) show that Cd and Ni for all the cores, and Mn, Zn,
Cr, Co and Pb for core 3 at location A are anthropogenically enriched. The contents of these elements decrease clearly with
depth in the sediment column. The sequence of element enrichment depends on whether the EF and the AF are used to calculate
the elements which show no systematic decrease in enrichment with depth in all cores, especially for location A, probably
due mainly to a higher sedimentation rate. The results of the present study show that the sediments of the Yarmouk River are
uncontaminated with Fe, Cr, and Mn, whereas they are uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Ni, Co, and Zn, moderately
contaminated with Pb, and strongly to extremely contaminated with respect to Cd. Also, the study shows that the EF and AF
values are higher than 1, which indicates that all the metals measured in the sediments of the Yarmouk River were enriched
by various anthropogenic sources in the catchment area of this river. Heavy metal enrichment reflects the combined effects
of agricultural activities, a treatment plant, a landfill site at El-Akader, and small industries in the region.
Received: 16 March 2000 · Accepted: 12 August 2000 |
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| Keywords: | Anthropogenic influx Metallic pollutants Yarmouk River Jordan |
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