Assessment of heavy metals pollution in soils around Behshahr landfill

Environmental assessment of municipal solid waste landfill has a vital importance because of its high potential of pollution. The main aim of this research is to assess the effect of Behshahr landfill environmental effects on soil with respect to heavy metals contamination. For this reason, 12 soil samples have been chosen from surface soil of landfill site and neighbor agricultural lands and after preparation, the samples were analyzed by ICP-OES for measuring 35 elements. Among the analyzed elements, 8 elements including cobalt, zinc, copper, arsenic, molybdenum, chromium, nickel, and cadmium were evaluated. Also, for assessing the landfill effect on surrounding soils contamination, a sample from landfill leachate was taken and analyzed by ICP-MS. The obtained results were compared with 4 soil contamination standards. The results indicate that the average values of cobalt, cadmium, zinc, copper, arsenic, and nickel were higher than the standards pollution limits. Statistical analyses were performed on the results by employing Pearson’s correlation matrix, enrichment index, pollution index, and pollution load index. The measured pollution index indicates that the studied soils have moderate rate of human induced pollution and from enrichment index standpoint the Cd>As>Zn>Cu>Ni>Co>Cr>Mo trend can be seen. Pollution load index indicates that the landfill soil sample and samples 4 and 5 have highest pollution.