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Contamination and source apportionment of iron, zinc, cadmium and chromium elements in surface soil of Khorramabad county, Iran
Masoumeh Selahvarzi, Soheil Sobhanardakani, Amir Hooman Hemmasi, Lobat Taghavi, Jamal Ghoddousi,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Soil contamination with heavy metals is the most important challenge and common environmental, economic, and public health issue in the world. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate the contamination and source identification of Fe, Zn, Cd, and Cr in the surface soils of Khorramabad county, west of Iran in 2020.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, after dividing the study area into 11 homogeneous units, a total of 65 surface soil samples were collected. After preparing the samples, the content of the elements was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Also, enrichment factor (EF), pollution factor (CF), and Nemrow integrated pollution index (NIPI) were calculated. Statistical analyses of the data were performed using SPSS statistical software.
Results: The results showed that the average content of Fe, Zn, Cd, and Cr (mg/kg) in soil samples were 3.14, 1.13, 0.021, and 0.529, respectively. The EF values showed that the enrichment of Zn, Cd, and Cr was "extremely severe" and the average values of EF for the elements followed the descending order of Cd > Cr > Zn. The average values of CF and NIPI varied from 3.30×10-5 to 0.182 and 0.043-0.136, respectively, indicating the level of "low pollution" and quality conditions of "no pollution" in all the studied stations. Based on the results of multivariate statistical analysis (PCC, PCA and HCA), Fe has a geological origin; while, Zn, Cd, and Cr mainly originated from a combination of geological processes and anthropogenic activities.
Conclusion: Although the average values of CF and NIPI showed that the study area has an acceptable soil quality, the values of EF indicated the impact of anthropogenic activities on soil contamination. Therefore, regular and periodic monitoring of soil samples as well as management and control of pollutant emission sources is recommended for maintaining environmental and human health.

Investigation of heavy metal concentrations in agricultural topsoil of Miandoab landfill area
Nader Abbasi, Mohsen Mohammadi Galangash,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Heavy metals are regarded as serious contaminants due to their toxicity, persistence in natural conditions, and ability to enter and accumulate (bioaccumulation and biomagnification) in food chains. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of the heavy metals Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe and Ni in surface agricultural soils of the Miandoab landfill area.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 57 soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-20 cm. After preparing and digesting in the laboratory, the samples were analyzed using a inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP-OES). The Ecological Risk Potential Index (EPRI), Earth Accumulation Index (Igeo), Principal Components Test (PCA) Pearson's Correlation, Cluster Analysis, and One-T-test were utilized. Statistical processing was conducted using SPSS software.
Results: According to the results of the single T-test, the average concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni did not significantly differ from their background concentration in the soil (p≥0.05). A significant difference was pbserved only for Fe (p<0.05), indicating a geological origin for this element. The EPRI was within the low-risk range, with an average value of 46.95. PCA revealed that the first factor was positively associated with Cr, Pb and Fe; the second factor with Zn and Cu; and the third factor with Cd. Cluster analysis showed that Fe was predominantly influenced by natural resources. According to the land accumulation index, all metals, except Cu, were classified non-polluted or slightly polluted at stations 2 and 4.
Conclusion: The origin of elements is related to both natural and human factors. Specifically, Cr, Pb and Cd are more likely to originate from man-made sources, while Fe primarily comes from natural sources. The decrease in the concentration of metals can be attributed to continuous and annual ploughing, inactivity of the landfill, biological absorption by crops, soil leaching and transporting to lower depths.
 

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