Seasonal Fluctuations in Physicochemical Characteristics as Indicators of Water Pollution in Al- Hilla River, Middle of Iraq

Abstract

Water is the most important element in shaping the Earth and regulating the climate; it is one of the most significant compounds affecting life. Assessing water properties and quality is essential for promoting human health and ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of the Hilla River water in three sites were in the center of Hilla before entering the center ,in the middle of the center , and after leaving the center. These three sites were selected during the wet and dry seasons, and thirteen environmental factors were included(temperature of the air and water, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, calcium, magnesium, total hardness, and alkalinity, orthophosphate, nitrite, nitrate, and biochemical oxygen demand). The study found that the EC was 1.254 (µs/cm) and that the greatest average air and water temperatures were 26.25°C and 26.583°C, respectively, during the dry season during the wet season, pH was 7.489 during the wet season, pH 7.489 in wet, DO( 7.9mg/l) in wet season , BOD₅ (2.889 mg/l)in wet, T ALK( 156.111mgCaCo₃/L)in wet season, TH (427.222 mgCaCo₃/L ) in wet season ,Ca(126.708 mgCaCo₃/L) in dry season, Mg (43.658 mgCaCo₃/L)in dry season ,NO₂( 0.065mg/l) during the rainy season, NO₃ (3.071 mg/l) in wet season, PO₄( 1.11mg/l) in wet season . Overall, the findings provide valuable baseline data on the water quality of Shatt Al-Hilla River and can support future monitoring and sustainable water resource management.