1Department of physics, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
2Al-Nahrain Nanorenewable Energy Center, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
*Corresponding author: Tagreed K. Hamad. Department of physics, College of Science, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq; E-mail: tagreed_k@yahoo.com
Online published on 2 February, 2019.
Concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd and Ni in soil samples gathered from different cities in Iraqi were estimated via laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A total of 14 composite soil samples were collected at depths 0–10 cm, including green areas, urban parks and industrial residential districts. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the samples were achieved by using the locally developed LIBS set up equipped with Q-switched Nd: YAG laser and optical spectrum analyzer. To validate the analysis results, Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to analyses the samples as well. PCA was utilized to identify possible sources of detected metals. Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) in samples were found to decrease with increasing of the distance of the communities from the pollution sources. The results of the multivariate analysis showed Cr, Cu, and Ni concentrations is controlled by gas stations, while Pb, Zn, Cd, and Mn in examined soil are mainly affected by deposits from cement factories. The lowest concentrations of heavy metals were observed in agricultural areas far from the main sources of contaminations.
Toxic heavy metal, Multivariate analysis, Soil, Laser induced plasma
