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Geochemical determination and pollution assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils of south western of Iran

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Abstract

Soil contamination with heavy metals due to the application of fertilizers and biocides in agricultural activities is a potential threat for human health through the food chain. The present work was designed to study the spatial distribution of heavy metals, pollution level and possible reasons for their contamination in agricultural soils of Aghili plain, Khuzestan, Iran. The median concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, and Hg were 2.90, 0.29, 8.10, 39.0, 17.75, 354.0, 0.97, 58.35, 5.90, 34.0, 42.0, and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. The results revealed that average concentrations of all studied heavy metals with an exception of Co, Cu, and Ni, were lower than background values. Analysis of source identification showed that Zn, Pb, and Cu (P < 0.01, r > 0.9) and Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, and V (P < 0.01, r > 0.7) were mainly from anthropogenic. In addition, Cd probably was originated from agricultural activities (application of manure and phosphorous fertilizers). Enrichment factor values of all metals (except Ni), were in the range of non to moderate enrichment (EF < 5). According to the degree of contamination (Cd) and ecological risk factor (ERF), all stations were categorized as low to moderate contaminated sites (4.5 < Cd < 17), and biological communities in some locations may be at risk (ERF >65). Results indicate that application of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides in agricultural soils has led to soil contamination and special management and educational plans are needed for public and farmers to prevent further adverse effects.

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Acknowledgments

The funding of the present research has been provided by the Environmental Technologies Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (Grant No. ETRC-9620).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Technologies Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

    Mehdi Ahmadi, Neematollah Jaafarzadeh Haghighifard & Sahand Jorfi

  2. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

    Mehdi Ahmadi, Neematollah Jaafarzadeh Haghighifard & Sahand Jorfi

  3. Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

    Razegheh Akhbarizadeh

  4. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Behbahan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, Iran

    Gelavizh Barzegar

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  1. Mehdi Ahmadi
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Ahmadi, M., Akhbarizadeh, R., Haghighifard, N.J. et al. Geochemical determination and pollution assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils of south western of Iran. J Environ Health Sci Engineer 17, 657–669 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-019-00379-6

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