Determination of Heavy Metals (Cadmium and Lead)

Original Article

Determination of heavy metals (cadmium and lead) concentrations, pH, and electrical conductivity in agricultural soils of Khatam city and zoning using the GIS software

Saeed Jafari Sadrabad 1, Mahmood Alimohammadi 2-4, Mohammad Hadi Dehghani 5, 6, Kamyar Yaghmaeian 5, 7*, Hasan Rasoulzadeh 8, 9, Abbas Jafari 10

1 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 6445-14155, Iran. 3 Center for Water Quality Research (CWQR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 6445-14155, Iran. 4 Health Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 6445-14155, Iran. 5 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 6 Institute for Environmental Research, Center for Solid Waste Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 7 Center for Solid Waste Research, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 8 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Student Research Committee. 9 Faculty of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshty University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 10 International campus, Shahid Sadoughi University of medical sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Improper use of chemical fertilizers, in particular phosphate fertilizers, increases soil concentrations of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. Due to the environmental hazards of these metals, it is essential to continuously monitor the concentrations of these metals in soil. The aim of this study was to determine cadmium and lead concentrations, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) in agricultural soils of Khatam city and zoning using the GIS software. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was carried out in Khatam city during 2018. Metal concentrations, pH, and EC were measured using an atomic absorption device, a pH meter (model MI150), and a Lutron conductivity meter (model CD -4306), respectively. Descriptive statistical analysis and zoning were done using SPSS software version 16 and ArcGIS software. Findings: Mean concentrations of lead and cadmium in soil were determined as 14.83 ppb and 0.175 ppb, respectively (Table 1). Based on the measurements, pH values in soil samples were in acidic to slightly alkaline range (5-8.3). Similar to pH values, EC ranged from 0.71 to 1.12 µSiemens. Conclusion: According to the results, the measured lead and cadmium concentrations in Khatam city are much lower than the standard provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), which poses no health problems in terms of crop consumption by the consumers in this region.

Keywords: Lead, cadmium, soil, electrical conductivity

due to the soil structure, it ultimately increases the concentrations of these soil elements [3]. Agricultural INTRODUCTION Soil is one of most important and valuable natural resources. Address for correspondence: Kamyar Yaghmaeian, Without a safe soil, life will not be possible on earth. More Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of than 95% of human food is obtained from the earth. Human Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, survival is guaranteed by planning to have a healthy and Iran. productive soil. The entry of materials, biological organisms or energy into the soil changes its quality, leading to altered This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License, which allows others to remix, soil natural state. The growing population and increased tweak, and build upon the work noncommercially, as long as the author is credited demand for food have led to the increasing use of chemical and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. fertilizers to multiply crop yields [1]. Different routes of heavy metal entry to the soil include unprincipled and unsanitary How to cite this article: Jafari Sadrabad, S., Alimohammadi, M., Dehghani, M. H., Yaghmaeian, K., Rasoulzadeh, H., Jafari, A. disposal of municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastes, Determination of heavy metals (cadmium and lead) concentrations, pollutants emitted from industries and vehicles, mining pH, and electrical conductivity in agricultural soils of Khatam city activities, and agricultural practices, eventually leading to the and zoning using the GIS software. Arch Pharma Pract environmental accumulation of these elements, particularly in 2020;11(S1):190-9. the soil [2]. Since the movement process in the soil is very slow

Jafari Sadrabad et al.: Determination of heavy metals (cadmium and lead) concentrations, pH, and electrical conductivity in agricultural soils of Khatam city and zoning using the GIS software contaminants include a wide range of organic matter, animal ArcGIS is a very convenient software for GIS applications, waste, and byproducts. To prevent soil contamination, which allows the use of spatial information and descriptive compensatory measures can be taken to strengthen and data for the creation of maps, tables, and charts [14]. It is regenerate contaminated soils, in addition to using manures important to be aware of critical concentrations of these instead of chemical fertilizers to ensure that crops can be metals and effects of their contaminations in soil. However, consumed without any problem. Chemical fertilizers (e.g. accurate figures have not been reported in these cases due to phosphate fertilizer) contain some amounts of cadmium and the variable nature of these elements in soil and complex soil lead, which, in case of incorrect consumption, some of the properties. The amount of heavy element accumulations can above toxins may be absorbed by plants and enter the human determine their toxicity levels to living organisms. This body, causing long-term disease. The use of chemical study, therefor, aimed to determine Cd and Pb concentrations, fertilizers is the most common cause of heavy metal pH, and electrical conductivity in agricultural soils of Khatam accumulations in the soil. Important heavy metals in chemical city, and to make the zoning of obtained data using the fertilizers include arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), ArcGIS software. nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), among others [4]. Besides accumulation in the soil, excessive use of fertilizers MATERIALS AND METHODS containing these elements results in their entry into the food In this descriptive-analytical research, the study area was chain through plant absorption, causing adverse health effects divided into zones of 4 km and sampling was performed on consumers [5]. Long-term use of phosphate fertilizers randomly in each zone. A sample of 1 kg was selected from increases heavy metal concentrations in soil [6]. pooled samples [15, 16]. Samples were dried at 103-105 °C and Mohammadikia et al. performed different observations in then passed through a 2-mm sieve. Values of pH and various places and reported that elements such as Cd and Pb electrical conductivity were respectively measured using a were present up to concentrations of over 1 and 3 g per pH meter (MI150, Milwaukee Martini Co., Italy) with 0.01 hectare [7]. Various factors such as soil type, particle size, accuracy, and a Lutron conductivity meter (CD-4306) (10 mg granulation, regional soil life, and levels of exposure to heavy of soil per 50 ml of distilled water after mixing for 2 h) [17]. metals affect heavy metal concentrations in soil [6]. Cd and Pb Cd and Pb concentrations were determined through atomic are the two heavy metals with relatively higher absorption spectroscopy (AAS) model AA-6200 based on the concentrations than those of other heavy metals [8]. Cd is following instructions [18, 19]. known as a contaminant in phosphate fertilizers. A high mobility of Cd in the soil-plant system allows it to be easily Measurements of heavy metals absorbed in large quantities by the plant grown in that soil. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is an element Then, it directly or indirectly disrupts physiological processes analysis method that provides quantitative (numerical) such as respiration, photosynthesis, transpiration, plant-water information for more than 50 different elements. This system relationships, mineral nutrition, and nitrogen and is able to determine very low concentrations (in ppb) for some carbohydrates metabolism. These will lead to poor plant elements and can also measure the concentrations (in ppm) of growth, reduced yields, and entry into food cycle, ultimately many elements. This method has many advantages, for reaching the final human consumer [9]. Pb with a density of example, it can measure total concentration of elements 11.34 g/cm3 at room temperature is found in phosphate regardless of shapes. Additionally, each element is measured fertilizers. Upon contact with humans, the metal can damage at a wavelength specific to that element, hence eliminating nerve connections, particularly in children, causing brain and possible errors or interference from other elements. It is also blood diseases [9]. Thus far, there have been reports of an easy and rapid technique. AAS works based on the concentrations of these metals around the world, particularly absorption of discrete light wavelengths on the basis of basic in Iran. Average Cd concentrations of 0.182, 0.45, and 0.0012 state of gas phase atoms. In this method, a hollow cathode mg/kg were reported in agricultural soils of Khorramabad, lamp is used to dissipate light at a specific frequency. The Isfahan, and Amol, respectively, and those of 0.5 and 0.55 energy released by this lamp is absorbed by electrons, turning mg/kg for Pb in Amol and Ghaemshahr, respectively [10-12]. the element from a basic into an excited state. The amount of absorbed light is proportional to element concentrations in a Khatam city, with an area of 7931 km2 and coordinates of 31° sample, which can be determined using a calibration curve. 30ʹ to 39° 32ʹ to 39° 32ʹ N and 54° 40ʹ E is located 240 km south of the center of Yazd province [13]. A cultivated area of Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software and > 12,000 hectares in Khatam city and excessive uncontrolled descriptive statistical tests, followed by preparation of tables use of agricultural pesticides necessitate interventions to for soil Pb and Cd concentrations. Finally, zoning was made prevent the aggravation of problems and improve conditions. by the ArcGIS software. This is because the residues of many pesticides and other toxins in the bodies of consumers will exacerbate the RESULTS potential for side effects caused by the entry of heavy metals The results are presented in the form of tables, graphs, and into the body. descriptive statistics analysis. Table 1 represents detailed information about sampling locations.

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Table 1: Information of the study area

Sampling Garden age Pb concen. Cd concen. No. Sampling site Altitude Soil pH EC (µSiemens) date (y) (ppb) (ppb) 1 Sadra well 2018 2∙1∙ 1568 12 ∙5 95 ∙0 951 25∙61 ∙0 16 2 Mofatteh well 2018 2∙1∙ 1565 14 ∙6 11 ∙0 954 12∙71 ∙0 071 3 Saghain well 2018 2∙1∙ 1561 10 ∙7 21 ∙0 977 29∙85 ∙0 18 4 Azadi well 2018 2∙1∙ 1562 7 9∙5 ∙0 921 19 ∙0 24 5 Cheshmeh Ali well 2018 2∙1∙ 1536 5 ∙7 93 ∙0 891 14∙79 ∙0 13 6 Nooriha well 2018 2∙1∙ 1540 12 ∙6 12 ∙0 988 16∙73 ∙0 16 7 Javazmin well 2018 2∙1∙ 1532 15 ∙6 18 ∙0 955 16∙76 ∙0 18 8 Jalil Dehghan well 2018 2∙1∙ 1537 17 ∙7 65 1∙128 10∙47 ∙0 21 9 Safariha well 2018 2∙1∙ 1548 12 1∙8 ∙1 112 13∙46 ∙0 28 10 Mahdieh well 2018 2∙1∙ 1553 10 5∙5 ∙0 894 11∙83 ∙0 37 11 Seyed Haji well 2018 2∙1∙ 1558 12 8∙5 ∙0 977 11∙09 ∙0 26 12 Shaghayeq well 2018 2∙1∙ 1551 14 2∙6 ∙0 912 15∙29 ∙0 014 13 Valiasr well 2018 2∙1∙ 1560 3 6∙5 ∙0 955 12∙26 ∙0 079 14 Tanasan well 2018 2∙1∙ 1560 10 8 ∙1 114 20 4∙ ∙0 17 15 Reza Khani well 2018 2∙1∙ 1567 8 ∙7 62 ∙1 119 11∙75 ∙0 47 Jafar Abad ghalb 16 2018 2∙1∙ 1583 15 ∙6 66 ∙1 112 13 9∙ ∙0 11 well 17 River 2018 2∙1∙ 1585 14 5∙7 1 15∙23 ∙0 26 18 Jalili Sotoodeh well 2018 2∙1∙ 1592 8 ∙5 12 ∙0 96 9∙7 ∙0 14 Imam Khomeini 19 2018 2∙1∙ 1666 13 ∙5 17 ∙0 94 15∙32 ∙0 16 well 20 Khishkesh well 2018 2∙1∙ 1661 15 ∙6 12 ∙0 93 13∙85 ∙0 11 21 Bagh Seyed Well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1496 12 8∙7 ∙0 721 16∙79 ∙0 21 22 Kazem Zeinali well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1562 7 6∙7 ∙0 91 12∙28 ∙0 11 23 Divan desert 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1549 13 5∙7 ∙0 95 11∙92 ∙0 31 24 Marvast old road 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1526 12 3∙8 ∙0 71 4∙8 ∙0 084 25 Toobakesh well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1524 18 6∙5 ∙0 78 12 6∙ ∙0 28 26 Aladdin well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1513 8 8∙5 ∙0 72 ∙8 35 ∙0 23 27 Ghanat boland well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1512 11 6∙5 ∙0 72 ∙7 55 ∙0 034 28 Sabz dast well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1511 10 9∙7 ∙0 79 ∙8 77 ∙0 055 29 Farm owner 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1509 25 8∙7 ∙0 81 18∙67 ∙0 15 30 Jafarabad Marvast 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1509 25 8∙7 ∙0 832 19∙88 ∙0 16 31 Shahidan well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1493 30 2∙8 ∙0 899 29∙81 ∙0 14 Ahmad 32 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1504 35 9∙5 ∙0 851 ∙4 98 ∙0 15 Dehghanzadeh well 33 Khomeini well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1535 22 1∙8 ∙0 941 14 ∙0 24 34 Akbar Norouzi well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1673 35 1∙8 ∙0 942 14∙68 ∙0 21 Masoud Norouzi 35 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1692 20 ∙7 12 ∙0 93 11∙75 ∙0 068 well Hamid Abedzadeh 36 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1682 10 5 ∙0 97 18∙24 ∙0 18 well Jamshid 37 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1555 22 5∙6 ∙0 96 12 ∙0 11 Hashempour well 38 Ali Abulian well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1573 14 4∙6 ∙0 93 12∙55 ∙0 23

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39 Morteza Javidi well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1659 12 8∙6 ∙0 92 14∙26 ∙0 11 40 Mirab well 2018 ∙1∙ 11 1635 14 9∙6 9∙0 27∙75 2∙0

Based on Figure 1, the lowest (29.85 mg/kg of soil) and sampling zones of Saghain well (No. 3) and Ahmad highest (4.98 mg/kg of soil) concentrations of Pb belong to Dehghanzadeh (No. 32) wells, respectively.

Figure 1: Pb concentrations (mg/kg of soil) According to Figure 2, Cd concentrations (mg/kg) are 12), which are 47.4, respectively. 0 and 0.01 mg per kg of lowermost and uppermost in the sampling zones of Shayeh soil. well (sample number 15) and Mahdieh well (sample number

Figure 2: Cd concentrations (mg/kg of soil)

Figures 3 and 4 show the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) values of soil samples.

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4 Soil pH Soil

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Sampling sites

Figure 3: The pH values of soil samples Based on the results, the sampling sites No. 36 (Habib Abedzadeh well) and No. 26 (old Marvest road) had the lowest (5) and the highest (8.3) soil pH values.

Figure 4: Measured amounts of electrical conductivity

According to the results, the highest (1.128 µSiemens) and Table 2 presents the results of the descriptive statistical lowest (0.71 µSiemens) ECs of soil samples are related to analysis. sampling sites 25 (Marvast old road) and 8 (Jalil Dehghan well), respectively.

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Table 2: Statistical analysis (Harat district) pH Pb Cd EC N Valid 40 40 40 40 Mean 6.775 14.835 .175 0.9095 Std. Error of Mean .21897 1.15366 .02357 .0180201 Median 6.1500 14.3450 .1650 .957500 Mode 6.12 7.90a .16 .9550a Std. Deviation .97928 5.15932 .10542 .0805883 Minimum 5.00 4.98 .01 .7100 Maximum 8.30 29.85 .47 1.1280 Sum 130.44 308.20 3.75 19.7900 25 5.8250 11.9375 .1150 .932500 Percentiles 50 6.1500 14.3450 .1650 .957500 75 7.5900 16.7525 .2550 1.084000

Finally, the zoning determined for Cd and Pb using the ArcGIS software is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Zoning of Pb and Cd sampling areas with the ArcGIS software

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION seriously endanger human life and other living things. The increased pollution and destruction of natural Mineral rocks and volcanic dust are among the main sources ecosystems, including soil, result from the irresponsible of these factors, along with humans contributing to the emission of heavy metals in various forms such as dyeing, human approach to the environment. The growing population [21, 22] and the need to provide food have necessitated the increasing metal plating, and battery manufacturing industries . The use of agricultural inputs, such as chemical fertilizers, to long-term presence of these factors in the environment leads achieve the highest crop yields per unit area [20]. As a to reduced reproductive capacity of aquatic animals, hazardous issue, heavy metals with various dimensions can respiratory and nervous problems, etc. Besides, their

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Jafari Sadrabad et al.: Determination of heavy metals (cadmium and lead) concentrations, pH, and electrical conductivity in agricultural soils of Khatam city and zoning using the GIS software accumulation in the body (biomagnification) and transfer to The concentration of Pb in the soil is naturally in the range subsequent consumers, including humans, can cause of 10-50 ppm. However, the concentration of lead irreversible consequences [20]. One of the important issues in significantly has increased to 10,000 ppm in some places due the field of environment is the accumulation of heavy metals to the widespread use of this metal in various industries, fuels, such as cadmium, nickel, lead, etc. in agricultural soils and and other items. The problem of Pb and Cd is that these contamination of food with these metals. Their accumulation metals are not eliminated by biological processes and remain in this part of the soil can reduce microbial activity and and accumulate in the soil. Soil type and quality determine diversity, diminish soil fertility, decrease or destroy crops, the permissible limit of heavy metals in the soil for plant and even harm the health of humans and animals by entering growth and development. The measurement of heavy metals the food chain [20, 21]. The absorption of heavy metals by plants in the environment is of paramount importance because many in agricultural lands is one of the routes through which heavy of these metals are essential for plant growth to go through metals enter the human food chain [23]. As a result, the soil- biological processes. crop-food pathway is one of the main reasons for human exposure to heavy metals [24]. Many of these metals are toxic at levels beyond permissible limits, which may be high in some soils and low in others Given the dangers mentioned above concerning contact with because heavy metals may generally enter the soil from rocks CD and Pb, and the entry of these metals into the human body near the soil layers and by used fertilizers. Human activities, associated with community health, agricultural soils in such as mining, industrial activities, and addition of soil Khatam city (Yazd province) were examined here as the enrichment fertilizers are the main source of water and soil target community due to the production of consumer pollution by soil heavy metals. Lead enters the environment agricultural products (e.g. pistachios). In this study, CD and through human and machine activities. Mineralization Pb concentrations were measured in soil samples in two time activities cause soil erosion as a result of environmental periods. The ECs of the samples were also investigated as a contact with a wide range of heavy metals [25]. physicochemical property. Lead is also of interest in soil when land is used for The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd (29.81 and 0.31 horticulture and agriculture. Plants uptake lead from the soil, mg/kg, respectively) were estimated in Marvast district, with therefore, vegetables or plants growing in lead-contaminated average values of 14.26 and 0.163 mg/kg, respectively. Also, soils have different concentrations of contamination. As Pb and Cd concentrations were lowermost (4.98 and 0.03 recommended by the relevant organizations, soils containing mg/kg, respectively) in Marvast district. lead with a concentration > 400 ppm should not be used for agriculture. It is also recommended to not use soils with lead The uppermost concentrations of Pb and Cd (29.85 and 0.47 levels of 100-400 ppm for vegetables or leafy plants as lead mg/kg, respectively) were assessed in Harat district, with can be present in the leaves. Moreover, root vegetables such average values of 15.04 and 0.187 mg/kg, respectively. Also, as carrots, turnips, etc. should not be grown in such soils as the lowermost (4.98 and 0.03 mg/kg, respectively) Pb and Cd lead can also accumulate in the roots of plants. Table 3 shows concentrations were measured in Harat district. the range of heavy metal concentrations in the soil layers.

Table 3: Heavy metal concentration ranges in soil layers [25]

Element Earth crust Basalt Granite Sand stone Clay stone Lime stone Soil range

Antimony 0.2 0.2 0.2 n/a 1 - 0.2-10.0 Arsenic 1.5-1.8 1.5-2.0 1.5-2.0 1-2 15 1.7-2.5 0.1-40.0 Bismuth 0.05-0.17 0.03-0.15 0.07-0.01 n/a 0.18 - 0.1-0.4 Cadmium 0.11-0.20 0.13-0.20 0.09-0.20 n/a 0.2 0.1 0.01-2.00 Cobalt 25 50 1-5 0.3 20 4 1-40 Chromium 100 200-220 4-20 35 100-120 10 5-1000 Copper 55 90-100 10-15 2 50 4-5 2-100 Indium 0.049 0.58 0.04 n/a 0.2-0.5 Lead 12.5-14.0 3-6 18-24 7-12 20 8-9 2-300 Manganese 950 2200 500 n/a 850 1100 850 Mercury 0.05-0.08 0.01-0.05 0.085 0.03-0.05 0.09-0.50 0.05 0.01-0.50 Molybdenum 1.5 1.0-1.5 1.4-2.0 0.2 3 1 2 Nickel 75 140-150 0.5-8.0 2 50-70 12-20 5-500 Selenium 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.6 0.08 0.01-1.20

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Thalium 0.45-0.60 0.08-0.10 0.75-1.10 0.82 0.3 - 0.1-0.8 Zinc 70 100-110 40 16 100 20-25 20

Soil heavy metals can be present in different amounts affect the permissible limits of heavy metals in soil. Table 4 depending on the soil layer and stratum. Also, the amount and lists the limits for the concentrations of heavy metals during [25] type of nitrogenous and phosphates nutrients added to the soil the presence of nutrients, sewage sludge, etc. .

Table 4: Heavy metal concentration ranges based on WHO standards [25] Element Nutrients Sewage sludge Field fertilizer Compost disposal Phosphate Nitrate Arsenic 2-1200 2-120 3-30 3-25 2-50 Cadmium 0.1-170.0 0.05-8.50 <1-3400 0.1-0.8 0.1-100.0 Chromium 66-245 3-19 8-41000 1-55 1.8-410.0 Cobalt 1-12 5-12 1-260 0.3-24 - Copper 1-300 - 50-8000 2-172 13-3580 Lead 7-225 2-27 29-3600 1.1-27.0 1.3-2240 Manganese 40-2000 - 60-3900 30-970 - Mercury 0.01-1.20 0.3-2.9 0.1-55.0 0.01-0.36 0.09-21.00 Molybdenum 0.1-60.0 1-7 1-40 0.05-3.00 - Nickel 7-38 7-34 6-5300 2-30 1-280 Selenium 0.5-25.0 - 1-10 2.4 - Zinc 50-1450 1-42 90-49000 15-566 82-5894

Our results revealed that Pb and Cd concentrations in both with heavy metals and their accumulation in the soil, it is districts are lower than the permissible limits determined by necessary to measure soil organic matter in land use irrigation the relevant organizations, including the WHO [26, 27]. projects, particularly after each crop year. To study the biological factors of agricultural soil quality, soil is sampled The results of this study are in line with that of Nouri et al. from three depths of 0-5, 10-15, and 30-35 cm. Soil quality is (2014) who investigated heavy metal concentrations in monitored from physicochemical, macronutrients, and agricultural soils of the central Sistan and reported average contamination viewpoints. Agricultural soil pollution results concentrations of 0.96, 340, 18.66, 7.26, 806, 19, and 299.909 from pollutants present in wastewater, pesticides and mg/kg for iron, nickel, copper, zinc, and zinc, respectively, fertilizers, and waste disposal, in particular industrial waste, the amounts of which in agricultural soils of the region were in the region. Organic toxins and heavy metals in municipal lower than the WHO permissible limits, hence no problem effluents are usually not to an extent to disrupt the soil quality [28] was found with soil health . Xue et al. (2017) measured Pb, in the area. Pesticides and fertilizers used in the area should Cd, and As concentrations of 5.24, 1.1, and 0.7 mg/kg, be used under the supervision of responsible organizations in respectively, in soils around Beijing, which were 25, 4.5, and accordance with international permits and standards. Only 2.5 times, respectively, higher than the allowable limits pesticides that are not durable in the environment are allowed provided by existing standards due to the mining work in to be consumed and all their effects are eliminated within a [29] these districts . maximum of 15 days. Consumed fertilizers must also possess Jimoh et al. (2012) evaluated Cd and Pb in soil and tomatoes a certain quality. If case of using phosphate fertilizers, soil Cd in agricultural lands of Kaduna metropolitan area in Nigeria. levels should be tested to ensure not exceeding the allowable Soil analysis results indicated that Cd and Pb concentrations standard. Farm soil is sampled at various points for such in the tested soils were much higher than those measured at experiments as hydraulic conductivity, levels of heavy metals the control site. They also found that the concentrations of (Cd, Hg, Pb, etc.), parasitic nematode eggs, and biological these elements in tomato samples were higher than the FAO soil quality, followed by interpretation of results. In this and WHO standards [30]. study, the highest, average, and lowest values of EC were 0.97, 0.859, and 0.71 milli-mhos/cm, respectively in Marvast Indicators for the determination of agricultural soil quality district, with equivalent values of respectively 0.89, 0.989, include EC, heavy metals, and parasitic nematode eggs. and 1.12 milli-mhos/cm in Herat district. Given the role of organic matter in the formation of bonds

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Jafari Sadrabad et al.: Determination of heavy metals (cadmium and lead) concentrations, pH, and electrical conductivity in agricultural soils of Khatam city and zoning using the GIS software In addition to measuring Pb and Cd concentrations herein, pH 9. Alsbou EME, Al-Khashman OA. Heavy metal concentrations in values were also measured in both districts, with the highest roadside soil and street dust from Petra region, Jordan. Environmental monitoring and assessment. 2018;190(1):48. and average soil pH values of 8.3 and 7.03 in Marvast district. 10. Matinfar H, Malaki A, editors. Assessment of heavy metals in water, Also, the highest, average, and the lowest soil pH values paddy soil and product Khorramabad (Iran). The first Regional (8.11, 6.52, and 5.12, respectively) were determined in Conference on Water; 2007. Marvast district. Soil pH is important in a variety of aspects. 11. Pirzadeh M, Afyuni M, Khoshgoftarmanesh A, Khademi H, editors. Cadmium in paddy soils and rice in Isfahan, fars and Khuzestan Soil carbonate system, absorption and consumption of micro provinces. 2nd Conference of Environmental Engineering; 2008. and macro nutrients (e.g. N, P, and K), growth of microbial 12. Atafar Z, Mesdaghinia A, Nouri J, Homaee M, Yunesian M, population, and so on depend on soil pH (75, 76). For Ahmadimoghaddam M, et al. Effect of fertilizer application on soil example, pH is widely in the neutral range to absorb the heavy metal concentration. Environmental monitoring and assessment. 2010;160(1-4):83. desired phosphate, which is based on an old view of soil 13. Chopda M, Malek A. Contamination of Groundwater Quality Due to phosphate chemistry. Published scientific theories about the Municipal Solid Waste Disposal–A GIS Based Study. 2018. uptake of phosphate by plants from the solution and soil all 14. Huang S, Liao Q, Hua M, Wu X, Bi K, Yan C, et al. 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198 Archives of Pharmacy Practice ¦ Volume 11 ¦ Issue S1 ¦ January-March 20201