Investigation of heavy metal distributions along 15 m soil profiles using EDXRF, XRD, SEM‐EDX, and ICP‐MS techniques
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: The research of soil contamination by heavy metal is an important field due to its environmental and health implications. The goal was to study the elemental mobility as a function of depth. For this reason, the distribution of heavy metals (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sn, and Pb) was investigated along soil profiles up to a depth of 15 m at 9 sampling sites in the Nilufer industrial district (Bursa, Turkey). Elemental analyses were done with the Epsilon 5 energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry equipment. Particle analysis was performed with a JEOL scanning electron microscope equipped with a Si(Li) X‐ray detector. The crystallographic compositions of oxide compounds in soil samples were identified by a Rigaku X‐ray diffraction instrument. Different parameters such as the soil's chemical (mineralogical structure, pH, and electrical conductivity) and physical properties (the number of blows, the stiffness index, the liquidity index, the plasticity index, and the water content) were analyzed. To assess the mobility of the heavy metals, diffusion ( D ) and convection coefficients (ʋ) were calculated with the finite difference method. Convection was determined to dominate the studied region. In addition, the mobility coefficient was determined for each metal. High mobilities were determined for Zn and V, moderate mobilities for Cr, Ni, Cu, and As, and low mobilities were determined for Co and Pb. The results revealed that elements had reached depths of up to 15 m, causing irreversible soil contamination that may lead to environmental health issues.
Source: X-Ray Spectrometry
DOI: 10.1002/xrs.2832
Language: English
Topic: Heavy metals in environment
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2791395582