Heavy metal pollution in soils nearby Kerman steel industry: metal richness and degree of contamination assessment

Abstract

Background and Objective: Urban and industrial development has increased concentration of heavy metals in the environment. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of Kerman steel complex on their surrounding soil by heavy metals. Materials and Methods: This study was a snapshot and its type was descriptive-analytical research. Heavy metals contents from 60 soil samples (top soil, 0-15 cm) near two Steel Complexes were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Source identification and pollution degree indices including enrichment factor (EF) and its percentage (EF%), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd) and modified degree of contamination (mCd) were calculated to assess the soil pollution level. Results: The average concentration of Ni, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cr and Cd were 9.98, 54.38, 15063.33, 20.86, 3.54 and 0.038 mg/kg, respectively. The order of average EF for heavy metals was Pb > Zn> Cd> Fe> Ni> Cr. Cf index also showed that 90% of the samples were moderately to significantly polluted with lead element. The results of EF% indicated that Fe (68.18%) had higher enrichment than others. The average values of Cd and mCd indices were 2.90 and 0.48, respectively, that showed low degree of pollution. Conclusion: In this study, Pb and Cd concentration were related with activities of the steel complexes and other metals had a combination of natural and anthropogenic emission sources. The steel complexes should plan to reduce pollutants emission to their environment.

Keywords

• soil
• heavy metal
• kerman steel complexes
• pollution index