Abstract
Metal pollutants were detected in biotic (Typha domingensis plant and Chironomus spp. larvae) and abiotic (water and sediment) components along 3 sampling sites in Wadi Al Arj floodplain, Taif Governorate, KSA, during winter and summer seasons 2016-2017. This included measurement of metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb, Fe and Al) in water, sediment, T. domingensis and Chironomus spp. samples, calculating metal pollution index (MPI) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF) as well as evaluating the sediment pollution status. Water physico-chemical properties reflected seasonal changes in weather conditions and other related factors. The detected variations in metal concentrations among studied samples showed temporal and spatial related patterns with a general trend to show significant increase during winter season. The calculated MPI performed better in indicating the overall metal load in the studied samples where it showed the order: Chironomus larvae > T. domingensis plant > sediment > water, and confirmed the marked increase in metal concentrations during winter season. Metal concentrations and BAF values for both studied biotic components were in consistence with each other and confirmed the potential use of T. domingensis and Chironomus spp. larvae as possible bio-monitors for metal pollution.