Evaluation of metal pollution in agricultural soil near industrial landfill in Ghazaout, Algeria

The objective of this study was to assess the damage to soils used for agriculture and natural vegetation to study the risks of contamination and the mobility of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, etc.). The extractions carried out on the ground showed total levels above the limit standards, thus generating contamination by cadmium to a lesser extent by zinc, arsenic and within the standards for cobalt, copper, chromium, nickel and finally the major elements. As for cultivated plants, the study indicated a potential ecological risk of grapes contaminated in particular by chromium, then by zinc and finally by copper, thus leading to potential health risks. All the results obtained can contribute to understanding the effects affecting agricultural soils and food plants in the city of Ghazaout.