QE271 : Evaluation of contamination of agricultural soils in the North East of Shiraz Petrochemical complex
Thesis > Central Library of Shahrood University > Geosciences > MSc > 2015
Authors:
Elham Naghizadeh Jahromi [Author], Afshin Qishlaqi[Supervisor], Atefeh Nimrouzi [Advisor]
Abstarct: The study area is located at a distance of 45 kilometers from Shiraz, neighboring the Kor River and near the town of Marvdasht. This study is generally aimed at evaluating mextal contamination in the agricultural soils surrounding Shiraz Petrochemical Complex, with a special focus on the agricultural lands in the north-eastern sids of the plant, which are along the prevailing winds direction. Petrochemical plants can be potential sources entering various types of organic and inorganic pollutants into their surrounding environment. In the present study, 19 soil samples including 15 top soils and 4 ones sub soils were collected. Having prepared the soil samples in the laboratory and in order to achieve the main purpose of the study, the physical and chemical properties of the soil samples (including pH, organic matter (OM)), and the concentrations of potentially toxic mextals were measured. The obtained data was compared with the international standards data and their geochemical indices (Enrichment Factor, Geoaccumulation Index, Contamination Degree and Contamination Factor) were also calculated, in addition; the multivariate statistical analyses of Correlation Coefficient and Cluster Analysis were applied. The obtained results revealed that the concentrations of arsenic, nickel and zinc are higher than the crustal average and the world-soil average values. Also, Chromium content is higher than the world-soil average values. This means that the soil of the study area is contaminated with these elements. In some of the samples, the concentration of lead is higher than the crustal average, but is lower than its corresponding world soil average. In addition; vanadium and copper concentration in the samples, are lower than the world soil average and the crustal average values. It was also revealed that the potentially toxic elements, in the top soil samples are higher than those of the sub soil ones. However, arsenic content increases with any increase in the depth. The calculation of the geochemical indices revealed that the highest degree of contamination in the studied soils, belongs to arsenic and nickel. Moreover, it is evident that the soil of the region is moderately contaminated with Chromium, vanadium and zinc, and slightly contaminated with copper and lead. The findings generally revealed that the mextal contamination of the soils studied, is probably originated from anthropogenic activities. In addition to the emissions from the Petrochemical Complex, agricultural activities such as widespread and inappropriate use of agrochemicals have also intensified the contamination status in the study area.
Keywords:
#Potentially Toxic Elements #Soil Contamination #Shiraz Petrochemical Complex #Agricultural Activity Link
Keeping place: Central Library of Shahrood University
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