AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CHITGAR RIVER SEDIMENTS FOR THE SHORT-TERM ACCUMULATION OF THE HEAVY METALS (Cr, Co, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni AND Zn) FROM TEHRAN, IRAN

Abstract

The quality assessment of urban environment is receiving great attention because of its vital importance for population living in large cities of the world. In the modern civilization various anthropogenic activities produce large amounts of wastes and pollutants, which are traditionally disposed mainly in soil, water and air. Such practices continuously emit trace and heavy metals into the components of environment posing a great threat to human health. This study demonstrates that the samples collected from ten sampling stations from the Chitgar River sediments (Tehran, Iran) there is an increasing heavy metal concentration (Cr, Co, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn). The study reveals that Pb and Cd are being increasing in the river sediments when studied for their concentrations in a period between May 2007 and May 2008 which could be potentially harmful for the residents of the Chitgar Industrial area.