Identification of pollution sources and spatial distribution of trace metals in soils of the industrial area El Hadjar (Annaba, Algeria)

The purpose of this study is to investigate trace metal contents in soils, to determine their spatial distribution, and to identify their potential natural either anthropogenic sources using multivariate statistical approaches. Soils were taken in the industrial area of El Hadjar (NE-Algeria) at 0-10 and 10-20 cm. The results revealed an order of Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr, whatever the depth. Mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu and Cr were 31191, 219.87, 96.76, 47.87, 28.27 mu g/g, respectively, at 0-10 cm, and 29,792, 304.09, 115.45, 49.08, 28.16 mu g/g, at 10-20 cm. Cr and Fe mean concentrations were below or close to soils worldwide backgrounds. These metals perhaps principally derive from natural sources. The percentages of sites with Zn, Pb and Cu contents over the background values were: 88.23% (Zn) > 82.35% (Pb) > 52.94% (Cu) at 0-10 cm, and 94.11% (Zn) > 88.23% (Pb) > 41.17% (Cu) at 10-20 cm. Hotspot areas of metal contamination were mainly concentrated around the Arcelor Mittal complex which seems to be the strongest effect factor influencing the spatial distributions of these metals. Results of this study suggest that Cr and Fe are predominantly derived from natural sources; Pb and Zn from industrial sources; and Cu from agricultural and industrial ones.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the trace metal contents in soils, determine their spatial distribution, and identify their potential natural or anthropogenic sources. The results indicate that Cr and Fe are predominantly derived from natural sources, while Pb and Zn come from industrial sources, and Cu comes from agricultural and industrial sources. The hotspot areas of metal contamination are mainly concentrated around the Arcelor Mittal complex.