Utilizing Modern Standards for Describing Soils Contaminated with Heavy Metals

Abstract

This study aims to describe soil contamination with heavy metals such as lead, nickel, chromium, cadmium, cobalt, mercury, and copper, and to assess their effects on selected chemical, physical, and biological properties of the soil. Contamination was evaluated using modern assessment indices, including the Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Degree of Contamination (Cdeg). The concentrations of heavy metals and the values of these indices were compared with international thresholds established by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2007).

Lead, chromium, cadmium, and cobalt are considered contaminants when their concentrations exceed 100, 200, 3, and 10 mg·kg⁻¹ of soil, respectively. The contamination factor is considered very high when its value exceeds 6. The Pollution Load Index indicates soil degradation when it exceeds 1. The enrichment factor is classified as extremely high when it surpasses 40. The Geoaccumulation Index reflects severe contamination when it is greater than 5. The Degree of Contamination is regarded as very high when it exceeds 35.