Determination of heavy metals in water and sediment extract from crude oil in northern of Iraq

The crude oil samples of twelve wells from three areas north, south and middle of Khurmala in the north of Iraq were investigated. Physical properties of the crude oil samples were examined and their density and specific gravity results were studies. The concentrations of seven metal ions (Fe. Co, Cd, Pb, Cr, As, Hg) in the contaminated water of 36 the crude oil samples examined were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy ICP-OES. Maximum values of Fe 25.48 mg/L ±1.97, Pb 2.92 mg/L ±0.12 and As 1.22 mg/L ± 0.09 were obtained in the crude oil samples of Khurmala. Hg value of 0.08 mg/L ±0.003 was minimum in the crude oil samples. Statistical analysis of the results showed significant differences in the level of few elements in different crude oil samples, (P<0.05). The first examinations of the contaminated water samples of crude oil samples were tested by using a natural product of curcumin reagant. A significant decrease of the concentrations of the metal ions was noticed after addition of curcumin.