Soil Contamination of Metals in the Three Industrial Estates, Arak, Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations and degree of metals contamination (Chromium, Cadmium, Nickel and Lead) and Arsenic in the soils of the three Industrial Estates in Arak city, Iran. The average concentrations of Arsenic, Chromium, Cadmium, Nickel and Lead were 5.06, 1.26, 37.13, 67.84 and 60.22 mg kg(-1), respectively. Pearson correlation indicated that Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead were mainly derived from anthropogenic inputs, and Chromium and Nickel were controlled by natural source, whereas Nickel appeared to be affected by both anthropogenic and natural sources. The geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) calculated in three industrial estates gave values indicating unpolluted to strongly polluted.