Toxic Heavy Metals in Soil and Some Plants in Baghdad, Iraq

In purpose to know the distribution and concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cd, Ni and Co) in the soil and both the plant leaves and the fruits of Rutaceae Family (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus sinensis, Citrus reticulate, Citrus aurantium, Citrus grandis) as well as the leaves and dates of Phoinix dactylifera (palm) in Baghdad city, they are measured in both of soil and plant samples which have been collected from 25 sites in Baghdad city. This study was carried on 25 samples of soil, 47 plant leaf samples, 29 fruit samples as well as 22 palm leaf samples with 5 samples of dates. The concentration of heavy metals in the soil appeared to be higher than of the natural distribution, so in the leaves and fruits of plants are also likely. The heavy metals in the plants mainly tend to be preferentially accumulated within the leaf fraction greater than of the fruits. Heavy metals in the Baghdad soil, especially Pb, Cd and Co had strongly correlated together and distributed in similar patterns which may be originated from source of diesel and gasoline fuel.