Spatial distribution and source identification of heavy metals in surface soils in the city of Elbasan

• Author: Alda Bicoku - Seit Shallari
• Position: University of Elbasan (Albania) - Agricultural University of Tirana (Albania)
• Pages: 240-246

Vol. 3 No. 2

July 2017

Academic Journal of Business, Administration, Law and Social Sciences

IIPCCL Publishing, Graz-Austria

ISSN 2410-3918

Acces online at www.iipccl.org

240

Spatial distribution and source identifi cation of heavy metals in surface soils

in the city of Elbasan

PhD (C.) Alda Bicoku

University of Elbasan (Albania)

Prof.Dr. Seit Shallari

Agricultural University of Tirana (Albania)

Abstract

In this study we investigated the pollution degree and spatial distribution of heavy metals

and determined their sources in topsoil in Elbasan a typical industrial city. We collected 15

soil surface samples in di erent areas of Elbasan city.The soil samples were analyzed for Zn,

Cd, Cu, Pb, As, Mo, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co and Cr. Soil samples were taken around the area of the

metallurgical factory and in a radius of 20 km far from it. It was taken soil samples in two

diagonal directions every 1 km (0-30 cm and 30-60 cm).

The average contents of all heavy metals were lower than the Soil Quality Standard for

industrial area which are describe in Legislative Decree 152/2006 “Limit values of soil and

subsoil concentrated” and higher for a lot of those heavy metals than the standard for public

and private areas.The reading for the elements and heavy metals and metals was done with

the IPC-MS device. Based on a data analysis and outcomes, the concentration of Cr, Mn, Co,

Ni, Zn, Pb, Fe, etc., are related to industrial pollution and near the industrial area, while in

relation to the content of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb there is no regularity with increasing distance from

the object. The results showed that the source contributions in soil pollution are atmospheric

deposition, industrial activities, agricultural activities, erosion, car cemeteries, heavy tra c

and uncontrolled garbage collection.

Keywords: Heavy metals, soil, soil distribution, source apportionment, Elbasan.

Introduction

Soil heavy metal contamination a racts great a ention around the world due to

rapid urbanization and industrialization (Chen et al., 2009). In a large number of soil

pollutants, heavy metals already turn into an important contaminant because of their

toxicity and di cult degradation (Zhong et al., 2014). Heavy metals accumulate in

soils as time goes on, which can lead to the loss of soil nutrient component and the

degeneration of soil biology and function (Zhang et al., 2016). Heavy metals in the

ecosystem resulting from natural and anthropogenic inputs may pose considerable

threats to the aquatic environment. These metals harm human health through various

pathways, due to their bioaccumulation, acute and chronic toxicity and persistence

(Mclaughlin et al., 1999; MacDonald et al., 2000; Salmanighabeshi et al., 2015). Heavy

metals are a major environmental problem around the world due to rapid industrial

growth and urbanization. The problem is driven by inadequate environmental

management and lack of strict adherence to environmental protection policies.