Assessment of trace element pollution in northern and western Iranian agricultural soils: a review.

The pollution of Iranian agricultural soils with trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) was assessed and compared with other agricultural soils around the world. Experimental data on trace element content in Iranian agricultural areas in the west and north were collected from the literature: 39 studies covered a total of 46 agricultural sites of 17 provinces in Iran, in order to characterize their patterns of accumulation of trace elements. Two pollution indices, namely, the pollution index (PI) and the integrated pollution index (IPI), were used to evaluate trace element accumulation.

Effect of heavy metals on pH buffering capacity and solubility of Ca, Mg, K, and P in non-spiked and heavy metal-spiked soils.

In many parts of the world, soil acidification and heavy metal contamination has become a serious concern due to the adverse effects on chemical properties of soil and crop yield. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pH (in the range of 1 to 3 units above and below the native pH of soils) on calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) solubility in non-spiked and heavy metal-spiked soil samples. Spiked samples were prepared by cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) as chloride salts and incubating soils for 40 days.

Effects of organic acids on cadmium and copper sorption and desorption by two calcareous soils.

Low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) present in soil alter equilibrium pH of soil, and consequently, affect heavy metal sorption and desorption on soil constitutes. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different concentrations (0.1, 1, 2.