Mapping Concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd in Soils Using Landsat ETM+ Data

AbstractMine excavation, concentration and transportation of minerals make Southern Esfahan municipality and suburb of Sepahanshahr vulnerable to pollution and endanger their people by heavy metals. Nowadays, spectrophotometers and spectral reflectance of soils in different parts of spectrum are applied for estimating soil characteristics and pollutants. This research was conducted to study the potential of Landsat ETM+ data for estimating and mapping spatial distribution of heavy elements in the Southern Isfahan municipality. During a field survey 100 surface soil samples were collected randomly. Samples were air dried and fine earth was treated by 4 M HNO3 (at 80 °C) and total Pb, Zn and Cd concentration was measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and ICP. Statistical analysis reveals negative and significant correlation coefficient between concentration of heavy metals and visible and NIR data and consequently, possible delineation of heavy metals. Spatial distribution of Pb, Zn and Cd concentration mapped using several stepwise multiple regression equations. Results indicate that concentration of Pb, and Zn are above the thresholds and that of Cd is not serious at the moment in proximity of Sepahanshahr.