Background and Objective: Spatial distribution of contaminants is essential for soil contamination monitoring and maintaining environmental quality. Therefore, this study was conducted to assessment of Pb, Cd and Cu concentrations of soil samples in the vicinity of Shaz
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Background and Objective: Spatial distribution of contaminants is essential for soil contamination monitoring and maintaining environmental quality. Therefore, this study was conducted to assessment of Pb, Cd and Cu concentrations of soil samples in the vicinity of Shazand thermal power plant in 2013 and preparing the spatial distribution map of elements.
Material and Methodology: A total of 54 topsoil and subsoil samples were collected from nine sampling stations. In the laboratory, after preparation of soil samples, heavy metal concentrations were determined using ICP-OES. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 18.0 statistical package. Also, spatial distribution maps of elements were prepared using Kriging interpolation method.
Findings: Based on the results obtained, the maximum mean concentration of Pb (µg/kg) in topsoil and subsoil samples were 10255 ± 577 and 8416 ± 415, respectively, while, the maximum mean concentration of Cd in topsoil and subsoil samples were 304 ± 29.0 and 303 ± 34.0 µg/kg, respectively, whereas, the maximum mean concentration of Cu in topsoils and subsoils samples were found to be 11839 ± 431 and 10473 ± 501 µg/kg, respectively. The results of statistical analyses showed that, the mean concentrations of Cu in both topsoil and subsoil specimens were significantly higher than permissible maximum permissible concentration established by WHO.
Discussion and Conclusion: Although the mean concentrations of Pb and Cd in soil samples were lower than WHO permissible limits, the establishment of environmental management system in industries of the study area and implementation of programs for the monitoring of heavy metals in soil samples is recommended.
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