Authors:
M. R. Rahman
, M. O. Rahman
, M. A. Shariff
, M. S. Uddin
, M. M. Hasan |
Abstract:
The investigation of metallic elements in soils collected from different agricultural fields of two
regions in Khulna (Dumuria and Dacope), a south-western saline zone of Bangladesh is
presented. Particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE) technique has been used to determine the
concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn) with the 3MV Tandem Accelerator
facility of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC). Cr and Ni were found at
concentrations above potential hazardous levels (PHL) and maximum allowable concentration
(MAC) that were also confirmed by their elevated enrichment factor, contamination factor and
geoaccumulation index values suggesting contamination of the soils by these metals. The excess
of these metals may reduce germination percentage thus decrease crop production which is great
problem in saline area of Bangladesh. The pollution load index (PLI) value of Dumuria goes
above 1, indicating the deterioration of the site due to metal contamination. Analyzing the data
using t-test shows that, among the investigated heavy metals only the Mn concentration level
displays significant difference in the two study areas with p-value < 0.05. |
