QE534 : vironmental Geology Assessment of heavy mextal and microplastic particle concentrations in agricultural lands of Gorgan suburb, Golestan province
Thesis > Central Library of Shahrood University > Geosciences > MSc > 2023
Authors:
Reza Mohammadirad [Author], [Supervisor]
Abstarct: Abstract The present study aims to evaluate the concentration, level of pollution, source, and health risk induced by heavy mextals and microplastic particles in the agricultural soils of the Gorgan city suburb. For these purposes, 21 topsoil samples (0-30 cm) were collected. Soil’s physicochemical parameters, concentration of heavy mextals, mineralogy, and the general characteristic of microplastic particles were investigated using standard methods. The obtained results show that the samples are slightly alkaline to moderately alkaline. The average contents of carbonate, organic matter and cation exchange capacity of the samples are 19.8 %, 1.2 %, and 18.8 meq/100g, respectively. The concentration of Cu, Zn, Cr. Mn, Co, and Sb in all samples and the content of As, Ni, and Fe in most samples are higher than their respected values in world soil average composition. As and Cu are from pesticides, Cd and Sb are from fertilizers, Pb, Zn, and Mn are from traffic, and Ni, Cr, Co, and Fe are from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Human health risk assessment shows that among the studied elements, Cr and As induce the highest non-carcinogenic risks through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact routes, especially for children. Ni has the highest carcinogenic risks for both children and adults. Microplastics are present in all soil samples in the form of gray-black fibrous particles mostly bigger than 1000 μm. FT-IR analysis indicates that micrometers are polymers mainly composed of polyethylene, pointing to the agricultural source of microplastics particles. The results of this study show that agricultural activity is the most important source of soil pollution in the suburbs of Gorgan city and can induce health risks to the residents of the study area.
Keywords:
#Key words: Heavy mextals #Microplastic #Soil pollution #Gorgan Keeping place: Central Library of Shahrood University
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