Potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in sediments of water reservoir case study: Chah Nimeh of Sistan

Abstract

The distributions of heavy metal concentrations in the surface sediments of Chah Nimeh of Sistan water reservoir were assessed. Sediment samples collected at 6 sites in the Chah Nimeh of Sistan water reservoir in connection with field surveys and the total concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average contents of the metals studied were: Cd, 0.58 mg/kg; Pb, 4.76 mg/kg; and Cu, 42.41 mg/kg and arrangement of the metals from higher to lower mean content in this area are: Cu > Pb > Cd. The Igeo values were ranged from -2.7 to 1.8 with an average of -0.65. The pollution load index (PLI) ranged from 0.6 to 1.4, and the average index of PLI was 1.0, the Chah Nimeh of Sistan was moderately polluted. The index range of potential ecological risk was from 45.3 to 165.2, and the average index of potential ecological risk factors (RI) was 111.2.