Contamination of Some Heavy Metals in Soil at Diyala/Sirwan River Banks

Abstract

This study investigated contamination of a number of heavy metals including (Cadmium, Cupper, Lead, Nickel, Zink and Cobalt) in the soils of agricultural lands within Sirwan/Diyala River Banks. To determine the soils contamination by the mentioned heavy metals, sampling process was conducted in different points of the river banks. The evaluation of soil contamination in the current area was conducted by using some indices such as ecological risk factor (ER), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), and geo-accumulation factor (Igeo). The outcome indicated that the levels of these elements were with the following order: Ni>Zn>Pb>Co>Cu>Cd. The values of enrichment factor were ranged from deficiency of Cu with a value of (EF = 1.04) to significant enrichment of Ni (EF = 18.87). However, the values of contamination factor indicated low contamination of soil by Cu, Cd, Pb, Co and Zn with mean values of (0.15), (0.56), (0.65), (0.72) and (0.76) respectively, to significant contamination by Ni (3.07). In terms of ecological risk factor, the average values of (Er) of all the observed elements were under low ecological risk category. The values of (Igeo) index for Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Co were under (unpolluted) category; while, Ni was under (unpolluted to moderate) category with a mean value of (0.94).