Assessment of soil contamination by heavy metals in the vicinity of the Sahiwal coal power plant, Pakistan, employing an innovative statistical analysis approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Pollution from heavy metals has become a major issue globally. Human activities could result in lower environmental quality and higher concentration of heavy metals in the soil. The establishment of coal power plants causes a significant threat to the Environment, soil and people who consume the food crops cultivated in that area. In this study, the concentration of some heavy metals like Calcium (Ca), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), and Magnesium (Mg) has been determined by utilising an Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and 10 soil samples were collected in nearby agricultural soil in the vicinity of coal power plant in Sahiwal, Pakistan during 2021–22 for this purpose. The samples for AAS were prepared via the Wet Digestion Method (WDM). The concentrations of Ca, Co, Cd, Cr, Pb and Mg that have been found are 1.7096 ± 1.4623 mg/kg, 0.0141 ± 0.0664 mg/kg, 0.1413 ± 0.3328 mg/kg, 0.2057 ± 0.3214 mg/kg, 0.1114 ± 0.07316 mg/kg and 0.8951 ± 0.4672 mg/kg, respectively. The results indicate that none of the metals were detected to be above the authorised limits, making the soil appropriate for agricultural purposes. It has been concluded that there are no detectable adverse effects due to the operation of coal power plants in terms of the analysed concentration of heavy metals. Moreover, a statistical Neutrosophic approach has been applied to the specific problem to check the reliability and variation in the concentration of heavy metals. The results come up with extensive and clear information about the particular issue. This study delivers a scientific basis for taking proper measures and managing soil pollution in incoming future in the areas near coal power plants.