Content of heavy metals in the soil of agricultural areas: case study at Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia
It is important to realise that the soil is both a source of metals and also a sink for contaminants. The factors controlling the total and bioavailable concentrations of metals in soils are of great importance with regard to both human toxicology and agricultural productivity. The objective of t...
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| Format: | Monograph |
| Language: | English |
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Universiti Sains Malaysia
2015
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| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/60313/ http://eprints.usm.my/60313/1/NUR%20SHUHADA%20YUSAIMEE%20-%20e.pdf |
| Summary: | It is important to realise that the soil is both a source of metals and also a sink for
contaminants. The factors controlling the total and bioavailable concentrations of
metals in soils are of great importance with regard to both human toxicology and
agricultural productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the content of
heavy metal Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and
Manganese (Mn) in the soil of agricultural areas at Bachok, Kelantan. A total of 30
samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm using a soil sampler. All samples
were dried and undergo acid digestion prior to analysis using Atomic Absorption
Spectrometry (AAS). The finding shows that the heavy metals concentration in soil
of paddy area is in order of Pb>Cr>Cu>Cd>Mn with average concentration of
0.319, 0.065, 0.037, 0.013 and 0.009 mg/L and the heavy metals concentration in
soil of vegetable area is in order of Mn>Pb>Cr>Cd>Cu with average concentration
of 0.226, 0.153, 0.107, 0.006 mg/L and no detection of concentration of Cu.
However, the heavy metal concentration is still below the standard limit of
Department of Environmental (DOE), Malaysia. Although the results of heavy
metals concentration in soil of agricultural areas are within the safe limits, further
research can be carried out to identify the source of heavy metals in soil of agricultural areas. Thus, proper treatments can be taken to reduce soil contamination and to keep sustainable agricultural development. |
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