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A comparative study of metal contamination in soil using the borehole method

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Abstract

The present study deals with possible contamination of the soil by metal ions which have been affecting the environment. The concentrations of metal ions in 14 borehole samples were studied using the ICP-OES standard method. The degree of contamination was determined on the basis of single element pollution index (SEPI), combined pollution index (CPI), soil enrichment factor (SEF), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo). Geo-accumulation indices and contamination factors indicated moderate to strong contaminations for eight boreholes (BL-1, BL-2, BL-6, BL-8, BL-9, BL-10, BL-12, and BL-13) while the rest were extremely contaminated. Among all the boreholes, BL-3 and BL-11 demonstrated the highest level of Cd(II) and Pb(II) which were found the most polluted sites. The level of metal contamination was also compared with other countries. The development, variation, and limitations regarding the regulations of soil and groundwater contamination can be provided as a helpful guidance for the risk assessment of metal ions in developing countries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia

    T. L. Teh, Nik Norulaini Nik Ab Rahman, Muhammad I. Syakir & A. K. Mohd Omar

  2. School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia

    Nik Norulaini Nik Ab Rahman, Mohammad Shahadat & Y. S. Wong

  3. Centre of Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia

    Muhammad I. Syakir

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  1. T. L. Teh
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  2. Nik Norulaini Nik Ab Rahman
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  3. Mohammad Shahadat
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Teh, T.L., Rahman, N.N.N.A., Shahadat, M. et al. A comparative study of metal contamination in soil using the borehole method. Environ Monit Assess 188, 404 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5394-0

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