Iranian Journal of

Background and Objective: The establishment of pelletizing and steel industries in Ardakan suburbs has increased the pollutants such as heavy metals into the environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contamination of the area soil by heavy elements around these industries using the pollution index (PI), comprehensive pollution index (NIPI), accumulation index (I_geo) and enrichment index (EF).
Materials and Methods: 57 soil samples were prepared by systematic-random sampling from 0 to 5 cm depth and levels of As, Cd, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were analyzed by ICP-OES.
Results: The highest and lowest mean of I_geo (0.49 and 0.36) and PI (2.16 and 1.17), were related to nickel, and the highest EF was calculated for Zn at about 25.1 and the lowest were detected for molybdenum approximately that was 17.1. The EF index of lead, vanadium and zinc, which was 15.8%, 5.3% and 1.8%, respectively, classified the study area in a medium enrichment class. Hot spots of lead, vanadium, nickel and zinc was at the nearest distance to these industries and downstream of wind direction.
Conclusion: Indicators of I_geo and EF showed a low level of soil pollution. The PI and NIPI indices in most stations were classified in medium pollution class, and the highest of these indicators was related to the surface soil of station 30, which was located near the steel industry. Therefore, it can be concluded that the activities of these industries had affected the soil contamination of the study area.
 

Background and Objective: Monitoring of pollutants in urban ecosystems is of particular importance. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the capability of Robinia pseudoacacia and Pinus elderica for biomonitoring of Pb, Cr and Ni in urban areas of Hamedan in 2023.
Materials and Methods: A total of 36 soils and 72 plant samples were collected from 12 sites. The contents of elements were determined using ICP-OES. Also, the values of PI, PLI, BAF, and CR indices were computed. 
Results: The highest values of Pb, Cr, and Ni (mg/kg) in soil samples with 72.2, 67.5 and 101 values belonged to the commercial, industrial, and commercial sites, respectively. The highest average content of analyzed elements in unwashed and washed leaves/needles for Pb both belonged to the commercial areas; for Cr and Ni, all belonged to the industrial areas. The average values of PI followed the descending order of Cr > Ni > Pb. The average values of PLI varied from 1.22 to 1.34. Moreover, BAF values of Pb, Cr, and Ni of R. pseudoacacia leaves and P. elderica needles were found to be in the range of 0.100-1.00. Also, the highest mean values of CR of Pb and Cr were both found in P. elderica; and the highest mean value of CR of Ni was found in R. pseudoacacia.
Conclusion: R. pseudoacacia and P. elderica could be used as suitable and efficient species for monitoring and remediation of toxic elements from soil and air in polluted ecosystems.
 

Background and Objective: The pollution of trace elements in urban soil has attracted wide attention due to its detrimental environmental and health effects. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate of the content, pollution levels, and health risks associated with trace elements (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Mo) in the surface soil of Al-Qasim City in Babylon Governate in 2024.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved, a total of 50 surface soil samples from a depth of 0-20 cm. The elemental content of the samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Additionally,, the enrichment factor (EF), pollution index (PI), pollution load index (PLI), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) were calculated. Statistical data analyses were done using SPSS software. 
Results: The average concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Mo in the soil were 27240, 62.7, 0.302, 33.8, 570 and 0.999 mg/kg, respectively. The highest average concentrations of Fe (30,331 mg/kg), Cu (37.3 mg/kg), Mn (639 mg/kg), and Mo (1.08 mg/kg) were found in downtown areasm whilefor the highest concentrations of Zn (65.3 mg/kg) and Cd (0.332 mg/kg) were observed in rural and midtown areas.
Conclusion: The results of this research demonstrate the impact of urban activities—such astraffic, industry, and agriculture—on the trace element pollution in the soil of Al-Qasim City. Therefore, regular monitoring of trace element concentrations and identification of their pollution sources are recommended to reduce and manage associated environmental and health risks.