Geochemical Assessment of soil in Al-Nahrawan area, East Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

This study aims to assess the quality of soil in the Nahrawan area. Seventeen soil samples were collected from various locations in the Al-Nahrawan area at a depth of 20 cm in October 2024, highlighting the nature of each region (commercial, agricultural, industrial, and roadside sites). All soil samples were subjected to geochemical analysis to determine the concentration of principal oxides and some trace elements. The lab data were used to create the spatial analysis. It was found that, compared to national and international studies, the mean concentrations of CaO, MgO, Fe₂O₃, and P₂O₅ are higher than those reported in international research, whereas SiO₂, Al₂O₃, SO₃, K₂O, Na₂O, TiO₂, and MnO are lower than those reported in international studies. In addition, CaO, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, K₂O, TiO₂, P₂O₅, and MnO concentrations are greater than the average of the national background, while SiO₂, MgO, SO₃, and Na₂O are lower than the national background. Trace elements were found, and the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn were within the acceptable limits of national and international studies. However, the mean values of Ni and some Cu were greater than those reported in international research, while they were within the acceptable limit of the national background. Mean of Cr, Fe, and most V is greater than that of national and international studies. This increase in some trace elements is due to the process of burning fuel, which is carried out in large quantities in the Nahrawan region. This results from the deposition of residues and smoke from factories on the soil, as well as agricultural activities, and organic materials. According to the results of soil quality assessments, the Al-Nahrawan area soil has a considerable amount of trace element contamination. The results of the geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, and contamination factor indicated that the pollution level was low to medium, except for Ni and Cr, which were highly polluted. The potential ecological risk index was low in all samples. The reason for the increase in these factors is due to human activities.