Environmental Impact of Selected Pollutants in Industrial Wastewater (Discharges) from the South Baghdad Thermal Power Plant Al-Zaafaraniya, Iraq

Abstract

This study evaluates the industrial wastewater from the South Baghdad (Al-Zaafaraniya) Thermal Power Plant for physicochemical and trace metal contamination, which could endanger aquatic ecosystems if left untreated. The study, which was carried out in Al-Zaafaraniya, South Baghdad, Iraq, in 2024–2025, compared raw Tigris River water and treated effluent to FAO, EPA, and WHO criteria. The approach was field-based, comparative, and descriptive-analytical. Water was gathered from river intake locations and discharge outlets using grab sampling. Important variables were measured, such as pH, temperature, EC, TDS, TSS, turbidity, COD, TOC, hydrocarbons, nutrients (nitrate and phosphate), and trace metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Mn). The differences between pre- and post-treatment conditions were evaluated statistically using t-tests (P < 0.05). The water quality significantly improved following treatment, according to the results. EC, turbidity, TSS, and TOC (14.63 → 3.16 mg/L) all considerably dropped, while pH stabilized within acceptable ranges (8.0–8.5). The majority of trace metals were below international guidelines, reducing the dangers to the environment and human health. COD, hydrocarbons, manganese, and nutrients (phosphate and nitrate) did, however, occasionally come close to or marginally over regulation limits. The study’s multi-year (2018–2025) integrated assessment, which combines physicochemical analysis, statistical evaluation, and comparison with worldwide standards, is what makes it novel. The results offer an up-to-date scientific database that supports environmental protection, regulatory decision-making and sustainable wastewater management. In order to guarantee long-term compliance and safeguard aquatic ecosystems, future prospects include sophisticated treatment, ongoing monitoring, and focused optimization.