## 3 Results and Discussion
### Relationship between Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals in Surface Water and Sediments  
Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify potential pollution sources that could cause the presence of heavy metals in surface water and sediments. The analysis of surface water samples revealed intriguing relationships between various heavy metals, shedding light on potential pollution sources and the interplay of these metals in the environment (Figure 6). A notable positive correlation was observed between Cd and Cu (r = 0.73 *). This finding suggests that these two heavy metals may share a common source or be transported via similar pathways. The presence of Cd and Cu in the water samples could be attributed to agricultural activity processes that release these metals into the surrounding environment [61]. Elevated levels of cadmium and Copper can potentially contribute to water quality degradation, leading to adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. We observed a strong positive correlation between Cr and Ni (r = 0.89 *******). Such a high correlation coefficient indicates a tightly interwoven connection between these heavy metals. Previous studies have shown that their presence in the water may pose significant risks to water quality, including potential toxicity to aquatic life. Cr and Ni are often associated with industrial discharges, raising concerns about the extent of contamination from these sources and the potential impacts on water quality [62]. We observed Zn and Pb (r = 0.68 *) to be positively correlated, implying that these two metals may co-occur in the surface water samples. Anthropogenic sources, such as agricultural activity, are likely to be associated with the presence of a water quality degradation, causing the presence of a water quality degradation. Figure 5: Potential Ecological Risk Index among sediment samples in the tributary. tural runoff, likely contribute to Zn and Pb concentrations in the tributary [63]. Mercury negatively correlated with pH (r = \(-\)0.34), indicating an inverse relationship between pH and Hg concentration. This correlation underscores the influence of pH on the behavior and availability of mercury in aquatic ecosystems. pH levels can enhance the bioavailability and toxicity of Hg, which has implications for both water quality and ecosystem health [53]. A negative correlation was observed between Cd and pH (r = \(-\)0.06). This suggests that the slight alkalinity of water may play a role in influencing the concentration and behavior of Cadmium. Moderate pH levels can increase the solubility and mobility of certain heavy metals, including Cadmium, potentially exacerbating their impact on water quality [64]. Copper exhibited a significant positive correlation with temperature (r = 0.73 *), implying a connection between these two parameters. It is well-established that temperature can influence the solubility and reactivity of Copper in aquatic systems. As water temperature increases, Copper's availability and potential to impact water quality may also rise [39]. Zinc positively correlated with COD (r = 0.63 *), suggesting that organic pollution may contribute to the presence of Zinc in the water. Organic matter can be a carrier for certain heavy metals, such as Zinc, potentially impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystems [65]. Chromium positively correlates with TN (r = 0.22); elevated TN concentrations are often associated with agricultural runoff, which may have fertilizers. Since agricultural runoff combines organic matter (rich in N) and fertilizers (rich in Cr), it may explain their positive correlation. Lead significantly correlates with TSS (r = 0.49), implying that high levels of suspended solids in water may facilitate the transport of lead particles. Mercury exhibits a robust positive correlation with Total Phosphorus (TP) (r = 0.83 **). This finding suggests that water's Phosphorus levels can influence mercury's behavior and bioavailability.