Geo-Environmental Evaluation of Shewasoor Soil, Kirkuk/NE Iraq

The present research aimed to evaluate contamination levels of soil by heavy metals. Eight sites were selected for the collection of soil samples. The soil samples analyzed for eight heavy metals namely As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn by using ICP-MS technology. The spatial distribution patterns of environmental assessment factors and indices were drawn using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which is gives understanding for the geographical distribution of contamination levels in the area. The heavy metals contamination assessed by using several environmental factors and indices: Contamination Factor, Degree of Contamination, Pollution load Index, Enrichment Factor, Geo-accumulation Index, Nemerow Index. The environmental factors and indices showed that the soil was moderate to heavily contaminated by studied heavy metals. The EF values indicated that the metals Pb, Cr, Co, Cu, and Zn were enriched from natural sources, while the metals As, Cd, and Ni were enriched from anthropogenic sources.