PhD Dissertation at the University of Basrah Investigates Soil Contamination by Heavy Metals
A PhD dissertation at the College of Science, University of Basrah, examined the horizontal and vertical distribution of selected heavy metals in the soils of Basrah Governorate in southern Iraq.
The dissertation, presented by student Hussein Alawi Anbar, aimed to measure the concentrations of nickel, lead, manganese, chromium, iron, zinc, and cadmium through the analysis of soil samples collected from five different sites. The study employed various pollution indicators, including the geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, and contamination factor.
The results indicated that lead was the most prominent contaminant, particularly in soils near streets, waste dumps, and oil changing/washing stations in central Basrah. In contrast, iron was found to have the lowest contamination levels. The stations at Al-Zubair and central Basrah recorded the highest levels of heavy metal pollution.
The dissertation recommended the use of unleaded fuel, recycling waste instead of burning it, and preventing the discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers.
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