Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate soil contamination and to investigate selected physical and chemical properties influencing the behavior of heavy metals resulting from landfill waste. Soil samples were collected from two sites across three transects, representing both contaminated and control conditions. The study area is located in Babil Governorate, between latitudes 32°34’58.15”–32°32’59.77” N and longitudes 44°31’36.93”–44°35’11.05” E. Particle size analysis indicated that the soils were predominantly clay in texture, followed by sand and silt. Soil pH ranged from 7.13 to 8.39, and electrical conductivity varied from 2.67 to 10.46 dS m⁻¹. Organic matter content ranged from 10.1 to 25.0 g kg⁻¹ in the contaminated sites and from 7.0 to 17.7 g kg⁻¹ in the control samples.
The total concentrations of heavy metals at sites S1 and S2 were 24.1 mg kg⁻¹ for lead (Pb), 2.62 mg kg⁻¹ for cadmium (Cd), and 186 mg kg⁻¹ for nickel (Ni). Additional measurements recorded 17.2 mg kg⁻¹ (Pb), 3.3 mg kg⁻¹ (Cd), and 127 mg kg⁻¹ (Ni) in other soil samples. Control soils showed values of 14.0 mg kg⁻¹ (Pb), 3.17 mg kg⁻¹ (Cd), and 127 mg kg⁻¹ (Ni). Based on the values of the Simple Pollution Index (SPI), the contamination level in all studied soils ranged from uncontaminated to low contamination.
The total concentrations of heavy metals at sites S1 and S2 were 24.1 mg kg⁻¹ for lead (Pb), 2.62 mg kg⁻¹ for cadmium (Cd), and 186 mg kg⁻¹ for nickel (Ni). Additional measurements recorded 17.2 mg kg⁻¹ (Pb), 3.3 mg kg⁻¹ (Cd), and 127 mg kg⁻¹ (Ni) in other soil samples. Control soils showed values of 14.0 mg kg⁻¹ (Pb), 3.17 mg kg⁻¹ (Cd), and 127 mg kg⁻¹ (Ni). Based on the values of the Simple Pollution Index (SPI), the contamination level in all studied soils ranged from uncontaminated to low contamination.