Gorgan University Of Agricultural Sciences Journal of Soil Management and Sustainable Production 2322-1267 7 3 2017 11 22 Effects of land use and parent materials on pollution of surface soils to lead and copper in North of Khuzestan Province Effects of land use and parent materials on pollution of surface soils to lead and copper in North of Khuzestan Province 19 36 3928 10.22069/ejsms.2017.11964.1685 FA Journal Article 2016 10 10 Introduction: Due to the intensified industrial activities and excessive application of pesticides and insecticides as well as fertilizers and industrial organic waste over the last few decades, there has been a great deal of concern about the accumulation of heavy metals in soils across the northern parts of Khuzestan Province as the agriculture hub of the province. This study attempted to examine the effect of land uses and soil parent materials on spatial variability of copper and lead elements and to specify the critical points (hotspots) contaminated with these metals across the northern parts of Khuzestan Province.<br />Materials and Methods: A total number of 300 composite soil samples (0-10 cm) were collected randomly at short, medium and long intervals across urban, agricultural and natural areas in north of Khuzestan, respectively; covering several cities including Shushtar, Shush, Izeh, Bagh Malek, Andika, Gotvand, Dezful, Masjed Soleiman, Lali and Andimeshk. Moreover, 26 samples were retrieved from the region in order to evaluate the effect of parent materials. Then, the physical and chemical properties of samples were specified after transporting them to the laboratory and preliminary arrangements under standard procedures. Furthermore, the total concentrations of lead and copper were measured using Varian A240 atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) equipped with a graphite furnace. <br />Results and Discussion: The results indicated that the maximum of total concentrations of lead, and copper were found in lands with industrial use, while the urban, agricultural, pasture and forest land uses accounted for the next values. When the total concentrations of these elements compared with the safe limits suggested by other countries, it was understood that the soils were not contaminated with lead and copper elements. However, the lands with industrial use were closer to critical levels. The greatest values of geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were found in industrial and urban land uses, whereas lands under agriculture, pasture and forest uses took up the lower ranks, respectively. Examination of the effect of parent materials on the distribution of lead, and copper across the study area demonstrated that the highest concentration of these elements could be arranged as shales > marl > indiscriminate sediment > sandstone > limestone. Besides, the comparison of total concentrations of heavy metals lead, and copper in soils and corresponding parent materials revealed that the concentrations of these elements were greater in soils as compared to those in the parent materials. <br />Conclusion: When concentrations of lead and copper in soils and parent materials, and in the land uses are compared, it could be concluded that both anthropogenic and geogenic sources have contributed to the distribution of lead and copper in the study area. Introduction: Due to the intensified industrial activities and excessive application of pesticides and insecticides as well as fertilizers and industrial organic waste over the last few decades, there has been a great deal of concern about the accumulation of heavy metals in soils across the northern parts of Khuzestan Province as the agriculture hub of the province. This study attempted to examine the effect of land uses and soil parent materials on spatial variability of copper and lead elements and to specify the critical points (hotspots) contaminated with these metals across the northern parts of Khuzestan Province.<br />Materials and Methods: A total number of 300 composite soil samples (0-10 cm) were collected randomly at short, medium and long intervals across urban, agricultural and natural areas in north of Khuzestan, respectively; covering several cities including Shushtar, Shush, Izeh, Bagh Malek, Andika, Gotvand, Dezful, Masjed Soleiman, Lali and Andimeshk. Moreover, 26 samples were retrieved from the region in order to evaluate the effect of parent materials. Then, the physical and chemical properties of samples were specified after transporting them to the laboratory and preliminary arrangements under standard procedures. Furthermore, the total concentrations of lead and copper were measured using Varian A240 atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) equipped with a graphite furnace. <br />Results and Discussion: The results indicated that the maximum of total concentrations of lead, and copper were found in lands with industrial use, while the urban, agricultural, pasture and forest land uses accounted for the next values. When the total concentrations of these elements compared with the safe limits suggested by other countries, it was understood that the soils were not contaminated with lead and copper elements. However, the lands with industrial use were closer to critical levels. The greatest values of geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were found in industrial and urban land uses, whereas lands under agriculture, pasture and forest uses took up the lower ranks, respectively. Examination of the effect of parent materials on the distribution of lead, and copper across the study area demonstrated that the highest concentration of these elements could be arranged as shales > marl > indiscriminate sediment > sandstone > limestone. Besides, the comparison of total concentrations of heavy metals lead, and copper in soils and corresponding parent materials revealed that the concentrations of these elements were greater in soils as compared to those in the parent materials. <br />Conclusion: When concentrations of lead and copper in soils and parent materials, and in the land uses are compared, it could be concluded that both anthropogenic and geogenic sources have contributed to the distribution of lead and copper in the study area. https://ejsms.gau.ac.ir/article_3928_25dfd804d8e7211d4153d041bf062ec5.pdf