The aim of this study is to determine the level of pollution with heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and their potential sources in dust samples collected from schools in Ramadi City, Iraq. The dust samples were collected from 40 primary schools and two kindergartens and analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The heavy metal concentrations were found to follow the order Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cd.  The results indicated that the concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Pb exceeded the permitted background values. The pollution level was assessed using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI). The classification of dust samples according to Igeo values showed that they ranged from unpolluted for Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn, to moderately polluted for Pb, and heavily polluted for Cd. The PLI values indicated no to moderate pollution load. The results of the comparisons of heavy metal concentrations with the background values, as well as the multivariate statistical analysis, indicated three groups of heavy metals with different sources or origins: (1) Cd and Cu (anthropogenic source: vehicle emissions); (2) Pb (mixed source); and (3) Cr, Ni, and Zn (Geogenic source). This study is the first attempt in Iraq to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in the dust of indoor environments. This study provides the environmental protection managers and decision-makers with important information about the concentrations of heavy metals and their sources in indoor environments.

The present investigation took place at Habbaniya lake to assess the level of pollution as an overall index besides organic directories. Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand were calculated for 16 samples of lake water in addition to parameters of Overall Index Pollution. The lake water content of Dissolved Oxygen is excellent and unpolluted according to Biological Oxygen Demand, and Chemical Oxygen Demand values (Dissolved Oxygen varied from 9.100 mg l-1 to 13.600 mg l-1, Biological Oxygen Demand varied from 2 mg l-1 to 7 mg l-1, and Chemical Oxygen Demand varied from 30 mg l-1 to 73.667 mg l-1). Overall Index Pollution was useful and helpful in determining lake water quality. The situation of the lake was better compared to the year 2014. The health status of the lake varied from acceptable to slightly polluted due to having Overall Index Pollution values ranges from 1.632 to 2.677, and it supports aquatic life in it. The map of Overall Index Pollution shows that the values in the northwestern part of the lake are lower than in the southeastern part due to the continuous renewal of water in the first part because it represents a water inlet. This map is almost identical to a distribution map of Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, and Chemical Oxygen Demand. In general, Habbaniya lake is non-polluting and not dangerous to the environment now, but it may face the risk of pollution, based on the results obtained. Thus, the present study concluded that the use of the Overall Index Pollution technique with organic indicators is very suitable for assessing the level of water pollution in Habbaniya lake.

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The groundwater is a substantial source of fresh water and has been used for various anthropogenic uses. The aim of this work is to investigate groundwater quality and type in kubaysa and AL-Waffa areas, Anbar, Iraq using multivariate statistics approach. The groundwater was sampled from ten wells for each region during the period from October 2018 to March 2019. The levels of T, TUR, pH, EC, TDS, DO, COD, TH, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+, Cl-, F-, SO42-,, NO3-, HCO3-, S-2 and SiO2, were measured. The majority of the physicochemical parameters exceed the permissible guidelines. Pearson’s Correlation technique, multivariate statistical tools such as cluster analysis and principle component analysis were applied to determine the groundwater type. For Al –Waffa area, the EC had a positive strong correlation with TDS, Na+, Cl-. The TDS had positive strong correlations with NO3-. TH and Ca2+ possess a very good positive correlation between each other and positive strong correlations with SO42-. Sodium has positive strong correlations with k+ and Cl-. For the kubaysa area, the EC has positive strong correlations with TDS, Na+, K+ and Cl-. The TDS have positive strong correlations with TH, Ca2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, and SO42-. The piper diagram indicates that the groundwater types in AL-Waffa and kubaysa regions are Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42- and Ca2+, Mg2+,Cl-, SO42 respectively. The results showed unsuitable water for drinking purposes and need to be treated. The main finding of the current study is a suggestion to use the multivariate statistics technique in determining the groundwater classification type as an alternative method for the piper diagram.

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The physico-chemical parameters of Euphrates River water were studied between Heet and Ramadi cities during November 2008 to June 2009. Water were samples collected from eleven stations and analyzed for Temperature, Turbidity, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total suspended solids (TSS), pH, Total dissolved salts (TDS), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphate, Phosphate, Bicarbonates, Chloride, Nitrate and Total hardness. The observed values of these physico-chemical parameters were compared with WHO standards. Some parameters (Turbidity, TSS, TDS, BOD, Calcium, Sodium and Total hardness) exceeded the permissible limits of WHO standards, while other parameters were within the permissible limits. Statistical studies have been carried out by calculating correlation coefficients between different pairs of parameters. Monthly and spatial variations of physico-chemical parameters were investigated