摘要：Most of the industrial, urban and sewage discharges are released into Gorganrud River, Iran without any previous treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn) in sediment collected from ten sampling stations along the Gorganrud River. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). The results demonstrated that concentrations of heavy metals showed significant difference (p<0.05) along the river. Concentrations of Co, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn ranged from 6.13 to 19.56, 26.66 to 78.33, 0.12 to 0.27, 17.66 to 57.76, 9.00 to 20.83, and 1.06 to 81.83 ppm, respectively. This assessment would help establish pollutant loading reduction goal and the total maximum daily loads and consequently contribute to preserve public health in the Gorganrud River.
