ESTIMATION OF MINERAL LEAD CONTENT IN FERTILIZED AND NON-FERTILIZED SOILS

Abstract

Heavy metals have become a worldwide problem in soil contamination, resulting in losses in agricultural yield and hazardous health effects as they enter the food chain. A survey was conducted to investigate the levels of (Pb) in fertilized soils in areas characterized by intensive agricultural activities and non-fertilized soils in Libya. Four farms from two locations in the rural areas of Al-Ajelat (Sanit Khmlej and Al-galmia) were selected for this study. Eight samples were at a depth of 0-20 cm for each of the two areas. The mineral content of lead in these soils was estimated by uv-vis spectroscopy at a wavelength of 750 nm. (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) were codes used for each sample. The concentration of Lead in the samples were as follows: (30.5, 20.0, 1.5, 1.5, 15.0, 15.5, 15.0, 15.5) mg/kg (ppm) respectively. From the results, all samples A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H agreed with the permissible limit, according to the world health organization of 100mg/kg of lead concentration in the soils.