Application of pollution indices for evaluation of heavy metals in soil close to phosphate fertilizer plant, Assiut, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Pollution indices were used to investigate the levels of heavy metal concentrations in a polluted area under the effect of fertilizer plant emissions at Manqabad, Assiut. Huge amounts of dusts, fumes and gases containing heavy metals which are released from the industrial processing activities, precipitated in the neighbouring area by the effect of meteorological factors causing soil pollution. Soil samples were taken from the area downwind of the factory and analyzed to detect concentration of heavy metals in the study area. Results of soil analysis showed that the area has been harmfully affected by the heavy metals Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn and their average concentrations are 0.3 mg/kg, 57.0 mg/kg, 94.7 mg/kg and 80.7 mg/kg respectively. These values exceeded the concentrations in soil background [0.013 mg/kg for Cd, 9.62 mg/kg for Cu, 5.17 mg/kg for Pb and 11.56 mg/kg for Zn] obtained from unpolluted area far from industrial activities and also exceeded the international standards for soil pollution stated by WHO. Pollution indices were developed to evaluate the levels of soil pollution with heavy metals. Index of geo-accumu!ation [Igeo], Enrichment Factor [EF], Pollution Index [PI], and Load Pollution Index [LPI], were estimated. The calculated results of contamination degree showed that the investigated area lies under the class of high pollution. In final conclusion, the investigated area is highly affected by emissions from the fertilizer plant So control measures should be applied to the fertilizer plant and the polluted soil area adjacent to the factory should be remediate