Assessment of the soil environmental quality from Mitidja plain, Algeria

The present study investigates the soil environmental quality from Mitidja plain using pollution index and pollution load index. A total of 180 composite topsoil samples were collected and analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn. The results showed that soils samples were uncontaminated with Cr and Ni, and moderately contaminated with Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn. According to the spatial distribution map of pollution load index, 17% of the whole studied area was belonged to low contamination, while 70% and 13% were moderately and highly contaminated with trace metals, respectively. Overall, the studied area is classified as moderately contaminated. The highest levels of contamination have been observed near urban and industrial areas. The main sources of contamination appear to be related to traffic emissions, atmospheric deposition of particles, and wastes discharge. The results of this study can help the decision makers to implement suitable control measures.