Heavy metals concentration in soils irrigated with treated wastewater in Jordan

Abstract EN

Heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils irrigated from Zarqa River were determined.

Zarqa River receives its water from different sources at the period of sampling (end of summer season).

Large portions originate from poorly treated wastewater produced from Khirbet As-Samra and small seepages along the river in addition to effluents from industrial a ctivities a long i ts b anks.

Soil samples i rrigated ford ifferent periods were collected and analyzed for Fe, Mn, Ni, Al, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn content.

Sampling was done at the end of the summer season in order to eliminate any impact of rain on irrigation water quality and leaching of heavy metals from the soil.

The results showed that enrichment of all analyzed heavy metals were found.

The enrichment factor depends on the type of heavy metal and period of irrigation.

The source of all heavy metals can be attributed to its input from the wastewater with the exception of Fe and Al which are rich in soil and its increase with irrigation period can be due to leaching process.