Calculation of soil pollution indices with elements in residential areas of Baghdad city

Abstract

Estimation of elements: Pb, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Cu, which were conducted seasonally from October-2021 till March-2022 in residential areas of Baghdad City using Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor ratios (EF), the factor of contamination (CF), contamination degree (Cd), index of pollution load (PLI) and index of potential ecological risk (Eif). The overall contamination factor in the research area is limited from low contamination with Cu, Mn, and Zn, moderately contaminated to very high contamination with Pb and Cd, while the assessment according to the I-geo index shows categories that vary from a slightly polluted to unpolluted by those examined heavy metals. The pollution load index indicates that the soils in some residential areas in Baghdad City have high levels of contamination by certain heavy metals. According to the EF results, the areas were moderately to significantly enriched with Pb and Cd and minimally enriched with Mn, Zn, and Cu. The potential for ecological risk had an irregular distribution, and the overall ecological risk level ranged from moderate to low. The PLI depicts the research area's vulnerability to soil heavy metal contamination and associated ecological concerns, particularly from lead and cadmium. Keywords: Pollution Index, Enrichment Factor, PLI index, Potential ecological risk.