Assessment of heavy metal soil pollution in areas surrounding Baghdad and the associated environmental risks
The study included calculating levels of lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, and iron in the Baghdad Belt region using geochemical indicators, including the Integrated Pollution Index (IPI) and the Risk Index (RI). Data variations were observed between the agricultural and industrial areas studied, reflecting differences in heavy metal levels. The highest concentrations of lead (89 mg/kg), cadmium (1.9 mg/kg), zinc (133 mg/kg), copper (77 mg/kg), nickel (91 mg/kg), chromium (100 mg/kg), and iron (25,000 mg/kg) were recorded in Abu Ghraib. Pollution indices showed moderate to severe levels, ranging from 1.23 in Al-Tarmiya to a maximum of 2.28 in Abu Ghraib.
