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Assessment of Physicochemical Properties and Trace Element Concentrations in Surface, Ground, and Municipal Waters of Ardabil Province, Iran
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Mehdi Vosoughi    , Farnam Mokhtar Koureh , Mehdi Fazlzadeh , Abdollah Dargahi* * , Ali Normohammadi |
| Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran |
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Abstract: (41 Views) |
Background & objectives: Water resources are increasingly vulnerable to contamination due to agricultural runoff, industrial effluents, and urban wastewater, posing serious environmental and public health concerns. Water pollution, as a key indicator of ecosystem degradation, requires rigorous monitoring. This study aimed to assess the levels of turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), temperature, pH, and selected microelements in surface water, groundwater, and municipal distribution systems throughout Ardabil Province, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over the course of one year (1400-1401) focusing on the water resources of Ardabil Province. In this study, the levels of turbidity, TDS, total hardness, SAR, temperature, pH, as well as several trace elements including potassium (K), silicon (Si), lithium (Li), beryllium (Be), boron (B), aluminum (Al), phosphorus (P), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), bromine (Br), strontium (Sr), molybdenum (Mo), cesium (Cs), barium (Ba), and uranium (U) in surface water, groundwater, and the municipal water distribution network of Ardabil Province. All major rivers, drinking water treatment plants, springs, wells, and the water distribution networks across different regions of Ardabil Province were studied.
Results: Trace metal concentrations were generally low across most samples; however, elevated levels were detected at specific locations. Notably, aluminum concentrations in surface water reached 182.5 µg/L and 259.9 µg/L at two sites along the Qezel Ozen River, and 2615.3 µg/L and 2636.2 µg/L at two sites along the Aras River. Additionally, water from an agricultural channel branching off the Aras River in Bilesavar exhibited aluminum levels of 2561.7 µg/L.
Discussion: The physicochemical parameters such as TDS, TH, SAR, temperature, and pH were found to be within acceptable limits as defined by national and WHO standards in most water sources. Turbidity levels were also compliant, except in certain surface water samples. Overall, trace element concentrations were below regulatory thresholds and are unlikely to pose significant health risks to consumers.
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| Keywords: : Water Quality, Trace Metals, Surface Water, Groundwater, Municipal Distribution, Ardabil Province, TDS, Turbidity, Hardness |
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Full-Text [PDF 1082 kb]
(20 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/09/16 | Accepted: 2025/09/1 | Published: 2025/09/1
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Vosoughi M, Mokhtar Koureh F, Fazlzadeh M, Dargahi* A, Normohammadi A. Assessment of Physicochemical Properties and Trace Element Concentrations in Surface, Ground, and Municipal Waters of Ardabil Province, Iran. j.health 2025; 16 (2) :108-123 URL: http://healthjournal.arums.ac.ir/article-1-3022-en.html
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