Assessment of heavy metal and metalloids pollution in soils and groundwater in Akkar Northen Lebanon

Journal of applied sciences research

article

Ahmad Moustafa¹  Mariam Hamze¹  Moomen Baroudi¹ 

[1] Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Biotechnology Laboratory, Lebanese University, Doctoral school-AZM Center for research in biotechnology and its application;Department of Health and Environment, Laboratory of Sciences and Water Environment, Lebanese University, Faculty of public health section III

关键词: Heavy metals;    Groundwater;    Soil;    Pollution;    Akkar.;   

DOI  :  10.22587/jasr.2019.15.6.3

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: AENSI

【 摘 要 】

Heavy metals pollution in agriculture area is highly concerned as water and soil easy up take of heavy metal can ultimately affect consumers. Akkar, situated in the northern coastal plain of Lebanon, its soil and groundwater are contaminated by pesticides and nitrates. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the trace metals found in Akkar’s groundwater and soil. Duplicate samples from groundwater (12 sites) and soil (5 sites) were collected in 2017 from this area. Dissolved oxygen (DO), potential hydrogen (pH) and electrical conductivity of groundwater samples were measured. Trace metals (Cadmium, Lead, Copper, Zinc and Manganese) from groundwater samples were analyzed by spectrometry atomic absorption AAS500 supported with flame and graphite furnace method. The soil samples were digested with Nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide-Hydrochloric acid by successive heating in a block heating, and the trace amounts of Cadmium, Lead, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium, and Nickel was analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The intensity of pollution was estimated using the Heavy Metals Pollution Index (HPI) and the Heavy Metals Evaluation Index (HEI) for groundwater. The soil contamination index Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) were calculated. Slight contamination with Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cr was observed with low Igeo and EF values in the soil. Cadmium was found to be the heaviest pollutant with EF exceeding 25, whereas lead was the second most important pollutant with an Igeo between 2 and 3, this indicate that the soil is moderate to heavily contaminated in this area. The results showed that in groundwater, the average concentrations of the metals Pb, Cd, and Cu were 3.3, 2.6, 0.7, μg/l respectively. According to the water quality index (HPI) the groundwater of some studied sites like Tal Anadi and Tall Abbas Al Charki are not safe for drinking and/or cooking. The revelations during the present study summons attention from the local authorities and farmers to optimize utilization of agriculture fertilizers and pesticides, and stop using wastewater for irrigation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown