Abstract
Abstract The soil quality of rice fields in Egypt has been increasingly studied; however little attention has been paid to metal pollution. The current work aimed at investigating the distribution of total and DTPA-extractable Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, one of the greatest rice-producing regions in Egypt. The studied area covers 88709 ha between 31°01 ′ 30 ′ ′ to 31°25 ′ 05 ′ ′ N and 30°25 ′ 34 ′ ′ to 30°54 ′ 64 ′ ′ E. Twenty-five soil profiles were dug and 75 samples were collected at 0-30, 30-60 and 60-100 cm. The total and DTPA-extractable fractions of the studied metals showed decreases with depth. Total Co was within the safe limit, while Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn showed potential risks in the three layers. The DTPA-extractable forms of Cd, Co, Pb, and Ni were within the safe limits, while Cu and Zn surpassed these limits. The single pollution index and enrichment factor followed the sequence: Cd > Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni > Co. The pollution load index indicated high to extreme pollution levels in the topsoil, while moderate levels in the subsurface and deep layers. Metal availability ratios were less than 3% and closely related to pH, organic matter and Fe and Mn. Effective measures should be implemented to alleviate metals accumulation (mainly Cu and Zn) in rice soils to reduce their translocation from soil to edible parts of crops.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
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.