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Investigating the pattern of soil metallic pollution in urban areas (case study: a district in Tehran city)

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Abstract

Exposure to toxic metals has been increased during recent decades, especially in megacities where various anthropogenic sources discharge loads of pollution to overcrowded urban districts. Soil as a simultaneous sink and source of metallic pollution is considered as an optimum media for monitoring such pollution. In this study, 41 surface soil samples were collected from a district in south of Tehran megacity. Despite determination of bulk metal concentrations (Ni, Cu, Cr, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb Mn, Fe, Ca and Na), a single-step extraction scheme was used for determination of anthropogenic portions. Enrichment factor and geo-accumulation (Igeo)/pollution (Ipoll) indices were calculated to estimate the enrichment class and degree of contamination, respectively. Except for Cd and Pb, other toxic metals showed no or negligible exceedance of reference values. Descending order of anthropogenic contribution from bulk metal concentrations was detected to be as: Cd > Pb > Mn > Cr > Zn > Co > Cu > Ni. Cadmium and lead were detected by all three indices to be in extreme and moderate/significant classes. Relatively high concentrations of Na were attributed to intense salt spraying for streets deicing during winter time when sampling occurred, while Ca concentrations were justified by geogenic source mainly dominance of limestones (dolomites). A prompt decision should be made to avoid further exposure of metals of concern to citizens in this overcrowded district of Tehran megacity.

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Acknowledgements

Authors want to appreciate the kind support of authorities of district sixteen, Tehran municipality, for supplying the required regional data and for coordinating the determination of sampling stations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    N. Eghbal & L. Taghavi

  2. Department of Environmental Planning, Management and Education, School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    T. Nasrabadi

  3. Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    A. R. Karbassi

Authors
  1. N. Eghbal
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  2. T. Nasrabadi
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  3. A. R. Karbassi
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  4. L. Taghavi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. Nasrabadi.

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Editorial responsibility: M. Abbaspour.

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Eghbal, N., Nasrabadi, T., Karbassi, A. et al. Investigating the pattern of soil metallic pollution in urban areas (case study: a district in Tehran city). Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 16, 6717–6726 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-018-2076-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-018-2076-1

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