The Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Lower River Basin, Lebanon

Abstract

The distributions of heavy metals were measured in the bed sediments of the Lower Litani River Basin (LLRB). The main objectives of this study were to identify possible sources of metals (i.e. geological and/or anthropogenic) and then to investigate the effect of the seasonal variations in content of metals in the bed sediments. The heavy metal concentrations in the river sediments were remarkably high according to the permissible limits. The metal contents in bed sediment were highest during dry seasons. This was accomplished by applying the correlation coefficient analysis applied to total heavy metal contents as a tool for studying metal pollution in the LLRB and their origins. It was useful to distinguish between anthropogenic and natural sources.