Evaluation of polluted soil for selected industrial sites in South of Iraq using GIS techniques

Dissertant

Muhammad, Zaynab Baha

Thesis advisor

al-Suudi, Namir K. S.
Zabun, Abd al-Razzaq Tarish

University

University of Technology

Faculty

-

Department

Department of Building and Construction Engineering

University Country

Iraq

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Date

2012

English Abstract

Three governorates in the south of Iraq Basrah, Muthana and Dhi Qar were selected to determine the concentrations of heavy metals Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr and Zn within the top 500mm soil depth from natural ground level.

Four sites were selected in Basrah governorate, Basrah refinery, Basrah gas factory, Safwan area (Jabal Sanam) and Umm Qaser.

Samawa cement factory was selected in Muthana governorate and Nasriyah electric station in Dhi Qar governorate.

A total of 432 soil samples were collected from these sites and concentration of heavy metal, soil constituents, soil pH and iron oxide Fe2O3 at three depths 0, 100 and 500 mm below N.G.L were determined.

For each site the samples were collected from an area 36km2 keeping the source of contamination at the center of the area.

The concentrations of heavy metals determined at the grid points of 1km mesh within the 36km2 area were analyzed and extrapolated using the GIS technique providing a digital maps for both vertical and horizontal distributions.

The results show that at alkaline condition, adsorption ability for heavy metals occur firstly by Fe2O3 then organic matter and finally by clay content.

In general higher concentrations of heavy metals were observed in sandy loam soil where higher percentage of sand exists.

This was noticed in sandy loam of Basrah refinery, loamy sand of Basrah gas factory and Safwan area (Jabal Sanam).

The concentration of anthracene one compound of polyaromatics hydrocarbon PAHs, exceeds the allowable limit, 13 μg/kg by CCME with value 39 μg/kg was founded at the ground surface of the east side of Basrah refinery.

The concentrations of Cd and Pb in all sites exceed the allowable international limits of environmental protection agency EPA.

Maximum value of Cd, 11.7 mg/kg was detected in Basrah refinery at depth 100 mm below N.G.L .In Nasiriaya site, both Pb and Ni demonstrated maximum value of 59 mg/kg and 236 mg/kg at ground surface and 100 mm depth below N.G.L respectively.

The maximum value of Zn was observed in Safwan area (Jabal Sanam), 500 mg/kg at depth 500mm below N.G.L.

In all sites both Cu and Cr did not exceed the allowable limits .As an overall evaluation of the pollution generated by the heavy metals in the three governorates, it can be stated that biological treatment, physical separation and soil washing best methods for cleaning up and remediation .

Main Subjects

Engineering & Technology Sciences (Multidisciplinary)

Topics

• Soil pollution
• Iraq
• Geographical information systems

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-419114