Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the concentration of the heavy metals (Co, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and their ecological risk in soils adjacent to the power generators of Ramadi city, Iraq. The soil samples were collected from a depth of 20cm. The obtained results showed that the mean concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) are ranked as in the following order: Cr (360.90mg/kg) > Ni (283.65mg/kg) > Zn (190.96mg/kg) > Pb (130.75 mg/kg) > Cu (36.54 mg/kg) > Co (16.62 mg/kg) > Cd (2.55 mg/kg). The mean values of HMs concentration exceed the international guidelines. The result of correlation matrix analysis at P £ 0.05 showed significant correlations between the concentrations of HMs. These correlations are interpreted in the context of a common source of pollution and/or common origin. Results of the potential ecological risk factor assessment of metal i (Eir) in soil adjacent to the power generators of Ramadi city showed that the Eir values take the following descending order: Ni (354.56, very severe) > Cd (255.31, severe) , Co (207.77, severe) > Zn (88.69, heavy) > Cu (25.73, light) > Cr (17.43, light) > Pb (12.0, light). The potential ecological risk index (RI) values are classified as severe ecological risk for all studied heavy metals. This study provides the environmental protection managers and decision-makers with important information about the risk of using electrical generators in residential neighborhoods.
Highlights
One of the serious global environmental problems is the heavy metal pollution of air, water, and soil
Heavy metals are widespread in the environment and whilst some of the metals are of geogenic origin, the majority are released from anthropogenic activities
The motivation to carry out the current study is that most of these generators are located within residential neighborhoods, causing human health and environmental risks
Summary
One of the serious global environmental problems is the heavy metal pollution of air, water, and soil. Heavy metals are widespread in the environment and whilst some of the metals are of geogenic origin (rock weathering and volcanic eruptions), the majority are released from anthropogenic activities. The accelerating urbanization and industrialization over recent years have increased both ecological and human health interests for environmental pollution by heavy metals [2]. Many researchers investigated emissions of heavy metals from thermal power plants and diesel engine generators and assessed their risks to human health and environment, along with their ecological risks on soil and water [5, 7,8,9,10,11]. The current study is the first attempt in Iraq to investigate the heavy metals emitted from diesel electrical generators and their effects on the surrounding soils. The emphasize the need to find environmentally friendly alternatives
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