Abstract
UDK 631.453:666.94(65)
 An attempt was made to investigate the concentrations of Cu, Fe and Zn in agricultural soils around the Meftah cement plant, Algeria. Forty soil samples were collected at two soil depths, 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm. The soil samples were digested with the EPA method and the concentrations of heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentrations ranged from 7.22 to 55.75 mg kg-1 for Cu, 16160.8 to 19742.2 mg kg-1for Fe and 44.46 to 200.26 mg kg-1for Zn. The magnitude of the mean concentration values indicated the following order: Fe >> Zn > Cu for both horizons. In accordance with the European guidelines, the mean concentrations of the analyzed metals did not exceed the threshold values for agricultural soils. Concentrations of Cu, Fe and Zn in surface soils were higher than in subsurface soil samples. The enrichment factor (EF) was applied to assess the soil contamination. The enrichment factor values of Cu and Zn in studied soils ranged from 0.75 to 5.03 and 1.79 to 6.68, respectively. Up to 75% and 5% of soil samples were moderately to highly contaminate with regard to Zn and Cu respectively, compared to the upper continental crust concentrations.
Highlights
Amongst soil degradation processes, soil contamination by heavy metals is one of the major problems of our time
Addo et al (2013) reported that gases and chemical products emitted by the cement industry may contain soil heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe and Zn, and soils close to the cement factory have the highest level
To our knowledge little information exists on the content of soil heavy metals around Meftahcement plant in Algeria
Summary
Soil contamination by heavy metals is one of the major problems of our time. The accumulation of such elements in the soil in concentrations which exceed the threshold values recommended by international standard scan result in a loss of its qualities, which will influence the productivity, the ecosystem and the refore the human health. Sources of these elements in soils mainly include natural occurrence derived from parent materials and anthropogenic activities. The main objective of this research is to assess soil contamination and determine the concentrations of Cu, Fe and Zn in agricultural soil around to this cement plant
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