Investigation of Heavy Metals Distribution in Soils of Bamu National Park due to Human Activities

Hushmand Firoozabadi, F.; Karimian, A. A.; Elmi, M. R.; Azimzadeh, H. R.

doi:10.22092/ijsr.2014.100026

Investigation of Heavy Metals Distribution in Soils of Bamu National Park due to Human Activities

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

10.22092/ijsr.2014.100026

Abstract

Heavy metals in high concentrations in soils are potential health risk for humans, animals, and plants. Soil samples were collected in five replicates from 20 points with four land use including: roads, refineries, residential area (Sadra town), and farmland. Heavy metals were determined using flame atomic absorption (Analyticjena), while DTPA was chosen as trace elements extractor. In this study, soil surface concentrations of lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium, and nickel were measured to evaluate the potential risk of pollution. The results of soil pollution evaluation showed that the soils pollution levels were low and non-contaminating. ANOVA (Duncan's test) result showed that all the elements were significantly different in various land uses. The findings revealed that Ni of soil refinery was significantly different than the others. Soil Pb showed significant differences between urban and road land uses, but there was no significant difference between agriculture and refinery. According to the results, soil Cr of refinery was different than that of road and urban areas but was similar to the agricultural land. Cd of soil surface in urban areas had significant difference with refinery and road but was similar to agricultural soil. Also, soil Zn in refinery area was significantly different compared with the others.