Spatial distribution and source identification of heavy metal pollution in roadside surface soil: a study of Dhaka Aricha highway, Bangladesh

Abstract

In this study, metal pollution and their sources in surface soils were evaluated by pollution indices and multivariate statistical techniques in association with a geographical information system (GIS). Surface soil samples were collected in dry season from different locations of Dhaka Aricha highway and analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). Thirteen different metals were found in the tested samples. Pollution indices are determined by enrichment factor in an order of Zr > Sn > P > Mn > Zn > Rb > Fe > Ba > Sr > Ti > K > Ca > Al. The resulting geoaccumulation index (I geo) value shows the following order: Sn > Zr > P > Mn > Zn > Rb > Fe > Ba > Ti > Sr > K > Ca > Al. Contamination factors (CFs) of the metals range from 1.422 to 3.979 (Fe); 0.213 to 1.089 (Al); 0.489 to 3.484 (Ca); 1.496 to 2.372 (K); 1.287 to 3.870 (Ti); 2.200 to 14.588 (Mn); 5.938 to 56.750 (Zr); 0.980 to 3.500 (Sr); 2.321 to 4.857 (Rb); 2.737 to 6.526 (Zn); 16.667 to 27.333 (Sn); 3.157 to 16.286 (P); and 0.741 to 3.328 (Ba). Pollution load index calculated from the CFs indicates that soils are strongly contaminated by Zr and Sn. Principal component analysis (PCA) of parameters exhibits three major components. R-mode cluster analysis reveals three distinct groups in both site and metal basis clustering that shows a similar pattern with the PCA. These results might be helpful for future monitoring of further increase of heavy metal concentrations in surface soils along highways.