Abstract
Assessment of heavy metal contamination is of great importance given its hazardous impacts on humans and the environment. Atmosphere is an important path for heavy metals transportation and plays a major role in the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the environment. The present research aims to assess soil pollution to heavy metals of lead, copper and cadmium in Zahedan using pollution indices and Geo statistics technology. For the study, 90 dust samples from the studied area were systematically collected randomly and the concentrations of lead, copper and cadmium were measured using a flame atomic absorption device. Geocoding indices, pollution index, ecological risk index and potential environmental risk index were used to determine the contamination level in the study area. The comparison of the mean concentration of the elements showed that the frequency of metals in the study area was Pb> Cu> Cd. Also, the index of contamination, ecological risk and environmental potential of the cadmium element are 14.18, 44.34 and 1333.03, respectively, then the other metals. The plot of land accumulation chart showed that the heavy metal content during the sampling period varies from moderate to severe/maximum contamination, so the concentration of heavy metals in addition to their natural origin was also related to human activities. The Pollution Index map (PI) also showed that the elements of copper, lead and cadmium are low, medium and high levels of pollution respectively.
Highlights
Environment pollution by heavy metals is a global issue mostly due to the stability of the metals in the environment and the toxic effects of most of them on living organisms, (Chakraborty et al, 2009)
Agricultural and industrial pollutants are among the environmental disruptors, including heavy metals due to nondegradation and physiological effects they are important for living organisms and humans at low concentrations
Comparison of the average concentration of the elements indicates that the frequency of metals in the study area is Pb> Cu> Cd
Summary
Environment pollution by heavy metals is a global issue mostly due to the stability of the metals in the environment and the toxic effects of most of them on living organisms, (Chakraborty et al, 2009). Agricultural and industrial pollutants are among the environmental disruptors, including heavy metals due to nondegradation and physiological effects they are important for living organisms and humans at low concentrations. Among these elements are lead, copper and cadmium (Namazi and Salehi, 2016). Heavy metals are introduced into the soil from various paths such as atmospheric fall, use of chemical and animal fertilizers, compost, sewage sludge and pesticides (Rahnama: Afuoni and Khademi). This leads to the gradual accumulation of heavy elements in the soil. Heavy metals are classified as the most dangerous group of human
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
