Heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr) effects on soil and plants in street crossroads at Samarra city-Iraq

A study on the Samarra Archaeological City reveals significant variation in heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr) across soil and plant samples collected from street crossroads. Soil analysis showed the highest levels of lead (2.43 mg/kg), nickel (2.53 mg/kg), and chromium (3.83 mg/kg), while plants like citrus fruits exhibited elevated concentrations of cadmium (0.24 mg/kg) and lead (2.4 mg/kg). The research compared contaminated soil with controlled samples, highlighting the impact of urban pollution on both soil and plant life. This study underscores the need for monitoring heavy metal levels in archaeological sites to mitigate environmental and health risks.

Hussein, M. A., Theyab, M. A., Mahmood, Y. H., & Al-Hilali, B. M. I. (2020). Heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr) effects on soil and plants in street crossroads at Samarra city-Iraq. 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MATERIALS ENGINEERING & SCIENCE (IConMEAS 2019). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0000443