Identification of sources of heavy metals pollution in Euphrates River sediments (Iraq) using multivariate statistical analysis

Abstract

The concentration of various heavy metals (Pb, sediments from the Euphrates River in Iraq were investigated based on samples collected from 14 sites. The mean concentra􀀨on of Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, and Cr exceeded the USEPA sediment quality guidelines, suggesting tha the Euphrates River has occurred. Comparison of concentrations of heavy metals with the global average for surface rock suggested an anthropogenic source for Pb, Cd, Ni and Co and a geogenic origin for Zn, Cu, among Zn, Cu, Fe and Cr, while a moderate correlation was observed among Cd, Pb, Ni and Co. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified nine heavy metals controlling their variability in sediments, which accounted for 49.494% ( factor 1: Zn, Co and Cr ) and 22.982% ( factor 2: Cd, Cu and Mn) of the total variance. F1 and F2 cover metals having origins in natural and anthropogenic sources. Cluster analysis revealed two groups of metals with close similarities, Pb, Cu, Co, Cd, Zn, Cr, Ni and Mn, which were anthropogenic, and Fe, which was lithogenic.