Evaluation of the Physical Properties and Some Heavy Metals of Tigris River Water in Salah Al-Din Governorate/ Iraq

Surface water bodies are essential sources of water for human consumption, domestic use, agriculture, industrial activities, and the sustainability of aquatic life and ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the physical characteristics and concentrations of heavy metals in the Tigris River water, focusing on the section flowing through Duluiya, from September 2024 to March 2025. Parameters measured included water turbidity, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS). The results of the physical analysis revealed that monthly average water temperatures ranged between 11.9 and 24.8°C, while air temperatures ranged between 13.3 and 31.5°C. Water turbidity values ranged from 3.3 to 34.2 NTU, and electrical conductivity ranged between 338 and 516µS/ cm. TDS levels varied from 237 to 302mg/ L, and TSS ranged between 20 and 400mg/ L. All these concentrations were found to be within the permissible limits set by Iraqi drinking water standards. Statistical analysis showed significant temporal differences in all measured physical parameters, while most spatial differences were not statistically significant, with the exception of water turbidity, air temperature, and TDS. This suggests that seasonal variation plays a greater role than geographic location in influencing the physical properties of the river. Regarding heavy metals, monthly concentrations of lead ranged from 0.011 to 0.67mg/ L, while cadmium was mostly undetected, with a range of 0.00 to 0.90mg/ L. Cobalt concentrations remained below Iraqi drinking water limits, although slight elevations were observed in some December samples. Significant temporal differences were found for both lead and cobalt concentrations, whereas cadmium showed no significant spatial or temporal variation.