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Showing 4 results for Surface Soil
Soil Contamination by Arsenic in Urban Areas: A case study of Arak City
E Solgi, A Esmaili-Sari, A.r Riyahi Bakhtiari, M Hadipour,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (8-2015)
Abstract

Background and Objectives: Arsenic contamination is of great environmental concern due to its toxic effects as a carcinogen. In order to assess soil arsenic contamination and its distribution patterns, surface soil samples collected from the urban areas of Arak were analyzed. Materials and Methods: Totally, 62 surface soil samples were collected from depth of 0–20 cm of different locations including parks, green spaces, agricultural, roadsides, and squares of Arak City. The spatial distribution of arsenic in soil was mapped using GIS and kriging method. Results: The concentration of arsenic in the surface soil of Arak City was between 2.2- 10.8 mg/kg (average: 5.78 mg/kg). Spatial analysis showed that arsenic contamination enhances in the city center and there was an increasing trend from south to north. In addition, the mean arsenic concentration in the urban topsoil samples from Arak was lower compared with mean concentration for other cities around the world. Conclusion: It seems that arsenic in soil is controlled by natural and anthropogenic factors. The highest concentrations of arsenic in center and the north areas reflected arsenic loading is originated from anthropogenic sources such as vehicles and industrial processes.


Determination of perchlorate concentration in water and soil surface of war zones (case study: Khorramshahr county)
M.m Amin, M Giyahi, M Mansourian,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (3-2016)
Abstract

Background and Objectives: Perchlorate, as an emerging contaminant, has attracted notice of the most individuals and organizations. Presence of perchlorate in the human body can lead to inappropriate regulation of metabolism in adults. Moreover, due to inhibition of iodide uptake in the thyroid gland, it causes neurological and behavioral problems in infants and children. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted 15 µg/L perchlorate in drinking water as a guideline value. Regarding the possible sources and potential presence of perchlorate in the environment of the study area, and the unique characteristics of this pollutant, such as extreme water solubility, high mobility in soils and stability in the environment, the status of its contamination was assessed in soil, surface water and drinking water in the study area (Khorramshahr County).

Materials and Methods:  Soil and water samples were taken during February to April, 2013. Combined sampling was used for soil sample collection and the random sampling was used for water (surface and drinking water) samples. Each sample was analyzed using ion chromatography. In this study, 15 samples of surface soil and 22 samples of surface and drink water were tested for perchlorate analysis.

Results: It was found that all surface soil and water samples collected from the study area were contaminated with perchlorate and exceed the standard level. Concentration of perchlorate in surface water and drinking water was 1400-5800 and 700-5900 µg/L respectively and in surface soils was 3.3-107.9 mg/kg.

Conclusion: The assessment of perchlorate in soil, surface water, and drinking water in the study area is extremely higher than recommended standards and therefore is a threat to the health of consumers.


Ecological risk of heavy metals in surface soils of urban parks
B Mohammad Moradi, S Sobhanardakani, M Cheraghi,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Heavy metals are the most frequent pollutants of urban soils. In general, human health and especially children are directly at risk if the soil is being accidentally ingested orally or nasally. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess potential ecological risk index (RI) of Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu in surface soils of urban parks in Tehran City in 2016.
Materials and Methods: A total of 60 surface soil samples were collected from Mellat, Laleh, Velayat, Ekbatan and Pirouzi parks. The heavy metals contents in samples were determined using ICP-OES after acid digestion of soil samples. Also, RI of heavy metals was determined. All statistical analyses were performed according to the Shapiro-Wilk test, One-Way ANOVA, One Sample T-Test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient.
Results: The lowest and highest contents of the metals (mg/kg) with an average of 0.52 ± 0.25 and 153.81 ± 31.83 were related to Cd and Pb, respectively. Pb and Cu were higher than MPL. Also, the highest surface soil contamination was related to Velayat Park located at the south of Tehran. The value of RI was 99.16 and therefore the soil contamination was categorized in low ecological risk.
Conclusion: Although the value of RI categorized as low ecological risk, due to mean concentrations of Pb and Cu were higher than MPL, control of soil-contamination sources, periodic monitoring of surface soil in the urban parks where citizens spend most of their free time. Additionally, it should be avoided to construct urban parks close to the regions with high traffic intensity.
 

Environmental and health risks assessment of potentially toxic elements in topsoils of city of Hamedan
Soheil Sobhanardakani, Nayereh Sadat Hosseini,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Evaluating environmental and health risks from urban soils contaminated with toxic elements is crucial for maintaining urban ecosystem quality and public health. Therefore, this study assessed the environmental and health risks of As, Cd, Ni, and Pb in surface soils of city of Hamedan in 2022.
Materials and Methods: A total of 135 topsoil (0-20 cm) samples were collected from residential, commercial, and industrial areas of the study region, and their concentrations were determined using ICP-OES. The pollution index (PI) and Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI) were calculated to assess contamination levels. Additionally, a health risk assessment model was applied to evaluate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks.
Results: The highest mean concentrations of As (6.91 mg/kg), Cd (0.306 mg/kg), and Ni (23.9 mg/kg) were found in industrial areas, while Pb (31.2 mg/kg) was highest in commercial areas. According to the PI values, pollution levels of the analyzed elements ranged from "low" to "high." The mean NIPI value was 2.62, indicating "moderate" contamination in the study area. The average hazard index (HI) and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) values for both children and adults suggested no significant health risks.
Conclusion: The results indicate that industrial activities and traffic play a significant role in soil pollution in Hamedan. Therefore, periodic soil monitoring, reducing pollutant emissions from industrial sources, and improving transportation management policies are recommended to safeguard human and environmental health.
 

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