Source Identification and Distribution Mapping of some Heavy Metals in Dust Particles Collected Around the Hoveyzeh-Khorramshahr Dust Center

Dust is one of the most important environmental pollutants, containing particulate matter and heavy metals. The aims of this study were to determine the pollution level and to identify the distribution pattern of heavy metals in dust samples collected around the Hoveyzeh - Khorramshahr dust center. Thirty points from different urban and rural areas were taken using marble sediment traps to examine the heavy metals contents of the dust particles. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in dust particles follows the order Mn > Zn >Cr > Ni > Pb > Cu > Co. Also, the highest values of enrichment factor were found in the southern parts of the study area, where the oil fields activities are predominant. The lowest concentrations of heavy metals were also observed in rural areas. In most of the stations, both values of enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index were higher in dust samples compared to those of soil samples. The values of geo- accumulation index for Hg, Pb, and Mn elements in dust particles and soil samples were in the range of medium to high pollution (2 ≥ I geo ˂ 3), indicating the impact of various human resources on distribution of these elements. The result of cluster analysis is fully consistent with the results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), indicating several sources deriving from human activities including oil, industrial and traffic on heavy metals distribution in dust samples.