STUDY AND DISTRIBUTION OF MICROPLASTIC PARTICLES AND MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION IN SOME WELLS WITHIN THE CITY OF BAGHDAD / IRAQ
Authors: Kamal B. Al-Paruany, Jabbar F. Al-maadhidi, Ansam S. Sabei and Abdulfatah SH. Khadir
Kamal B. Al-Paruany: Environment, water and renewable Energy Center, Scientific Research commission, Baghdad, Iraq.
Jabbar F. Al-maadhidi: Department of Biology, University of Science City, Baghdad, Iraq.
Ansam S. Sabei: Environment, water and renewable Energy Center, Scientific Research commission, Baghdad, Iraq.
Abdulfatah SH. Khadir: Department of Biology, University of Science City, Baghdad, Iraq.
ABSTRACT
The current study aims to evaluate microplastic levels and microbial pollution in the selected well water in Baghdad, 2026. In this study, 10 wells were examined chemically and biologically, and the study showed that microplastic levels ranged from 2 to 19 particles per litre across the wells. The highest levels of microplastics were observed at W5 due to its proximity to industrial and human activities, specifically near the landfill site. In comparison, the lowest level was recorded at W1 because it is located in an agricultural area and is not affected by general pollution. The variation in the average concentration of plastic particles, their types, and their distribution across different locations may be attributed to the nature of plastic particle decomposition and the accumulation of large amounts of plastic over time. Other contributing factors include the wells’ proximity to pollution sources, landfills, and densely populated areas; whether the well is covered or open; and the impact of natural factors such as surface runoff from rainwater. Also, the results of the microbial analysis showed clear variation in bacterial contamination in well water. Well W10 recorded the highest concentration of different types of bacteria, while Well W4 and W9 showed the least contamination. The contamination of Well W3 is attributed to its mixing with wastewater discharged from the Rustamiya station. The results of the variance analysis of the relationship between well locations and types of bacterial contamination (Coliforms, E. coli, and TPCs) show that the location clearly affects the number of bacterial species, particularly at W10, which differed significantly from the other locations examined. In comparison to sites W1, W8, W3, W9, W5, W4, W6, W2, and W7, the different sources of pollution caused the TPC contamination at this location to grow by 94.4%, 93.3%, 91.8%, 91.4%, 90.6%, 89.8%, 89.0%, 87.8%, and 73.8%, respectively Finally, we recommend against drilling wells, especially those for human use, near human and industrial areas due to their potential to contaminate these wells.
Keywords: Microplastic, Microbial, Human activity, Baghdad, well water, and pollution.