Heavy metals distribution in the soils of Peshawar valley, Northern-Pakistan

Abstract

Information about metals concentrations in soil profiles of Peshawar-Pakistan in relation to their parent material is in scarcity. The study was aimed to identify the source of metals in soils and to determine the level of depletion and enrichment. Twenty two soil profiles derived from alluvium, piedmont alluvium, loess and re-deposits loess underlain by quaternary sediments with their respective parent materials were sampled and analyzed for metals by AAS. The average value of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na was significantly greater (p<0.05) in piedmont soils than red Murree shales. Cadmium was found to be high in all soils than the parent material. There was no significant difference in total content of Cu in all soils. Total content of Cd, Cr, Mn and Zn was found to be significantly greater (p<0.05) in piedmont soils than alluvium and loess soils, similarly Ni and Pb were significantly greater (p<0.05) in loess soils than piedmont and alluvium soils. The concentrations of Cr, Pb and Zn were significantly greater (p<0.05) in the A horizon of piedmont and alluvium soils than B horizon. The total content of all trace elements except for Cd and Ni was found to be significantly greater (p<0.05) than the reported mean for world soils. There was no significant difference between total trace elements content except for Cd and Ni between soils and parent materials. Data suggested no depletion or enrichment in all metals. All metals were evenly distributed and derived from similar parent material of sedimentary origin. These values could be considered as baseline levels for comparison with soils contaminated due to anthropogenic activities.

Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) fluorescence based analysis of heavy metals in marble powder, paddy soil and rice (Oryza sativa L.) with potential health risks in District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…The concentrations of Ca and K in current soil samples was found lower than the average world shale values reported by [54]. In other study [57] also reported a higher concentration of Ca (36,675.5 mg/kg), K (18,927 mg/kg) in soil sample of Peshawar valley Pakistan [42]. reported an average higher Ca and K level for the soil of Chhattisgarh (India), suggests a higher volume of Ca and K in earth crust.…”

Heavy metals concentration in soils under rainfed agro-ecosystems and their relationship with soil properties and management practices

“…Most of the soils studied originated from basaltic alluvium, calcareous alluvium and granite-gneiss parent materials. Metal concentrations and mineralogical composition of alluvial soils underlain by quaternary sediments are directly related to the parent materials from which the soil is derived (Siddiqui and Khattak 2012). Fertilizers used as carriers of macro and micronutrients and other amendments used in agriculture also contribute to heavy metal additions to the surface soil.…”

Elemental Compositon of Some Soils in Central Part of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Relation to Soil Type, Region and Land Use

“…Although, translocation and accumulation of different elements in soil profile are controlled by other soil properties, which alter in time and space (KABATA-PENDIAS & KRAKOVIAK, 1998). In contrast, in soils derived from heterogenic parent materials, effects of pedogenetic processes on micro-elements distribution do not have to appear (SIDDIQUI & KHATTAK, 2012).…”