Spatial and temporal distribution of heavy metals in dust fallout in Basra city/ Iraq

Abstract

This study examined the distribution and dominance of some heavy metals in samples of dust fallout from Shaibah area in the province of Basra/ Iraq. The fallen dust collected by special containers of metal (diameter of 15 cm and height of 30 cm) via bags of polyethylene monthly between June 2011 and November 2012. An acid mixture of nitric and Perchloric acids (1:1) was used to digest the samples, then heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Pb, Fe Zn and Cr) analysed by using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The program SPSS was used to analyse data statistically using model 19. The mean of Cd concentration was a range from 0.0002 during May in St7 and 0.0158 mg/m3 September and St8. The result showed that the concentration of Cr ranges from 0.0046 to 0.4598 mg/m3. Ni conc. showed significant differences (0.871-0.0012 mg/m3), Pb range from 0.008 to 1.9042 mg/m3. Contamination of Cd, Pb and Cr might accumulate from different areas along with local pollution because of the high occurrence in whole locations, whereas Ni seems polluted locally because of high rates only at St2. The heavy metals above the reference value become seriously polluted according to WOH2008 and ATSDR, (2002), but below the target value in other studies.