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Analysis and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the surface soils collected from various land uses around Shazand Oil Refinery Complex, Arak, Iran

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Abstract

Due to the presence of organic compounds, heavy metals, various hydrocarbons, organic solvents, aromatic compounds, linear formaldehyde, fats, and grease, petroleum products are among the most life-threatening factors in the ecosystem. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the soil surrounding Shazand Oil Refinery Complex in Markazi Province, Iran, and assess the concentration of various heavy metals, including Fe, Cd, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb (mg/kg) in surface soils of different land uses. In so doing, the soil contamination rates and potential ecological risks of the soils were assessed using Igeo, IPI, EF, PLI, NIPI, and PERI. Based on the results of the Igeo index, moderate levels of Cd and Pb concentration (0.633 and 0.921, respectively) were observed. Based on the NIPI values, Cd (1.65) and Pb (2.01) could be classified as causing moderate pollution levels. Moreover, based on its Ei value, Cd (69.8) could be considered as posing a moderate ecological risk. Besides, the EF values of Cd (2.69), Pb (2.02), and Zn (1.41) indicated that they have minor enrichment. Besides, the IPI of the studied soil samples suggested that the soils could be categorized as low polluted, while the pollution load index (PLI) indicated that the whole research area could be considered as non-polluted. Based on the Pearson correlation coefficient, PCA, and HCA, it was decided that the heavy metals in the study area mainly originate from three different sources. Moreover, no significant difference was found between different land uses regarding the contamination of surface soil samples. However, in the long term, due to the impact of anthropogenic activities, discharge of Cd, Pb, and Zn to the environment might result in their accumulation in soil. In conclusion, it is suggested that soil analyses be included in future studies for determining the impact of the number of bioavailable metals.

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Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, and Lorestan University for providing instruments to conduct and complete this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Mandana Mohebian, Lobat Taghavi & Jamal Ghoddousi

  2. Department of the Environment, College of Basic Sciences, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran

    Soheil Sobhanardakani

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  1. Mandana Mohebian
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  2. Soheil Sobhanardakani
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  3. Lobat Taghavi
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Correspondence to Lobat Taghavi.

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Mohebian, M., Sobhanardakani, S., Taghavi, L. et al. Analysis and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the surface soils collected from various land uses around Shazand Oil Refinery Complex, Arak, Iran. Arab J Geosci 14, 2019 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08349-9

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