Kamel Khalil * ⁽¹⁾ Maher Dais ⁽²⁾ and Basel Fares ⁽¹⁾

(1). Department of Environmental Prevention, Higher Institute for Environmental Research, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(2). General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria .

(*Corresponding author: Dr. kamel Khalil, Email: d.kamelkhalil@tishreen.edu.sy).

Received:7/01/2023            Accepted: 15/02/2023

Abstract: 

This study aimed to estimate the concentration of heavy metals: lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in the surface soils (0-20 cm). For nine sites from (St1) to (St9) in Baniyas. The results showed that the order of elemental concentrations (general average) in ppm was as follows: [Fe (3479.66) > Mn (577.06) > Zn (69.32) > Pb (30.69) > Ni (28.20) > Cu (25.49) > Cd. (0.55)]. And that the concentrations of (Pb, Cd, and Mn) exceeded the normal values (27-0.4-488 ppm), respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used to identify sources (natural or anthropogenic) contributing to the contamination of the studied area with heavy metals. The results showed that the sources of )Pb, Cd, Ni) are industrial constructions and transportation while the elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) are associated with agricultural areas and light traffic in general. The results also showed the importance of the role of pH and organic matter (OM) in explaining the presence and concentration of heavy metals.

Key words: Soil pollution – Heavy metals – Principal Component Analysis (PCA) – Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) – Baniyas city.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf