Soil heavy metal pollution and the associated toxicity risk assessment in Ajdabiya and Zueitina, Libya

Document Type : Original articles

Authors

1 Zoology Department , Faculty of Science Demietta University

2 Environmental sciences - Environmental Sciences Department - Faculty of Sciences -Damietta University –Egypt

3 Environmental and Natural Resource Science , Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya

4 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Omar Al –Mukhtar University, Libya.

5 Elkafrawey Street, New Damietta City, Damietta - Egypt

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential adverse effects on the environment and human health arising from introducing chemicals from one of the principal petrochemical complexes in Libyan districts of Ajdabiya and Zueitina. Mathematical models utilized to assess heavy metal indices, such as the contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), degree of contamination (DC), pollution load index (PLI), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo). The findings of the study indicated that the levels of heavy metals in the sediment samples exhibited the following sequence: iron > lead > cobalt > cadmium > copper. The enrichment factor (EF) for each heavy metal element was determined by comparing it to the background values, which were normalised using the Fe element. Based on the mean values of enrichment factors (EFs), the heavy metals in the sediments exhibited the following descending order of enrichment: iron > lead > cadmium > copper >cobalt, arranged from highest to lowest. oron (Fe) was found to exhibit substantial to extremely high levels of contaminant across various stations within the study area. Furthermore, Igeo values were also seen in the below order: iron (Fe) > lead (Pb) > cobalt (Co) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). According to the health risk assessment (HRA), there is a possibility of both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic consequences resulting from heavy metal contamination in the soil of the study area

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