HEAVY METAL DISTRIBUTION IN VALLEY SEDIMENTS IN WADI AL-KARAK CATCHMENT AREA, SOUTH JORDAN

摘要

Valley sediments samples collected from the major and minor valleys of Al-Karak catch- ment area (southern Jordan) were leached with hot dilute HCl and analysed for their heavy metals content. The results of leachable metal concentrations indicated the absence of anomalous val- ues for metal occurrences. However, appreciable contamination of the sediments with Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr was observed. Using an index of pollution the extent of contamination was better delineated. The geographical distribution of the samples showed higher Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr concentrations mainly around heavily inhabited areas indicating an anthropogenic source of con- tamination. Lithological influence indicated from the anomalies of Fe and Mn was found to be very low.