Regional Symposium on Innovation in science and technology

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Evaluation of heavy metals pollution in agricultural Soil of Chenaran area in NE-Iran

Authors :

Neda Sharafi¹ Mohamad Hosein Mahmudy Gharaie² Ali Makhdoumi³ Hossein Ahmadzadeh⁴

1- دانشگاه خوارزمی 2- دانشکده علوم دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد 3- دانشکده علوم دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد 4- دانشکده علوم دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد

Keywords :

Heavy metals

Abstract :

In recent years, the escalation of heavy metal contamination in soils has emerged as a substantial threat to food security, human health, and soil ecosystems. This study investigated the sources and risks of heavy metals contamination by preparing topsoil samples from agricultural land in northeast Iran. For an extensive evaluation of heavy metal pollution in the designated area, 30 soil samples were systematically collected from Chenaran city and subjected to XRF analysis to determine the concentrations of heavy metals. The average concentrations of Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), and Manganese (Mn) were measured at 19.5 mg/kg, 52 mg/kg, and 948.7 mg/kg, respectively. The mean values of the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) indicated the sequence of As>Pb>Mn in the soil samples. Given the "heavily contaminated" status of As in the studied soil samples, it becomes imperative to scrutinize the origin of heavy elements and assess the potential risks to human health in the study area.