Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

A total of 23 soil samples were collected from the scattered agricultural farms along the Gulf of Aqaba coast. In addition, 25 granitic and marine sedimentary samples were collected from the study area. Following their treatments by total digestion technique, these samples were analyzed for different metals (such as Pb, Ni, Zn, Co, Cr, Mn, Fe, Hg, Mo, and Cd) using the inductively coupled plasma. Relationships among these metals for the study area were then examined by correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results from correlation analyses reveal a variable degree of correlations among different metals in the study area. Principal component analysis identified two factors, which are responsible for ~60% of the total variance of the data set. These two factors allowed to group the selected metals according to their geochemical features. Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the studied metals into different groups based on the similarity of their characteristics. The level of metal contamination in the study area has been assessed using enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index, showing relatively high percentage of enriched metals in the study area. The studied rock samples show a significant variation in mean metal contents from one rock type to another, but their results are in good agreement with those obtained from soil samples. High concentration of Cd in the studied soil samples is mainly due to extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides in the agricultural farms or due to sewage.

Biography

Email: habes@ksu.edu.sa