Investigating Radioactive and Chemical Pollution in the Shatt Al-Arab Using Synchrotron Radiation Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (SR-TXRF) Technique

Healthcare institutions located on the banks of the Shatt al-Arab generate a variety of liquid wastes that require appropriate treatment and disposal to prevent the spread of diseases and pollution. These wastes include hazardous chemical liquids, which are used in a wide range of operations within healthcare institutions, including disinfection, sterilization, cleaning, analysis, diagnosis, and treatment. These liquids include solvents, acids, bases, toxic substances, carcinogens, irritants, oxidants, reducers, reactive substances, and radioactive substances. These wastes must be handled with extreme care to protect the environment and human health. The study indicates a clear increase in the concentrations of radioactive and chemical elements in the waters of the Shatt al-Arab, including chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb), compared to the standards set by the World Health Organization. These results indicate pollution of the waters of the Shatt al-Arab and the accumulation of these pollutants in fish tissues. Sediments in the Shatt al-Arab were analyzed at six sites and the results were presented. The elements that appear in the chart are chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), bromine (Br), strontium (Sr), silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), thallium (Tl), lead (Pb), thorium (Th), and uranium (U). Chromium (Cr) makes up 39% of the total pollutants in fish tissue. Cobalt (Co) makes up 31% of the pollutants in fish tissue. Nickel (Ni) makes up 16% of the pollutants in fish tissue. Gallium (Ga) makes up 6% of the pollutants in fish tissue. Germanium (Ge) and arsenic (As) each make up 1% of the pollutants in fish tissue. The results agree with a study conducted to monitor waste on Arab beaches, including medical waste. These challenges threaten the health, security, and wellbeing of the region's population, and reduce its economic, social, and cultural value. The causes of these challenges are due to natural and human factors, such as wars, sanctions, neglect, corruption, and unsustainable development. To address these challenges, it is necessary to conduct regular and comprehensive environmental monitoring, and to implement policies, laws, and strategies to protect and improve the quality of the waters and the ecosystem of the Shatt al- Arab.