Geostatistical Analysis of Soil Pb and Cd Distribution Using Environmental Indexes in the Southwest of Isfahan in 2017

Background and objective: Soil contamination and accumulation of heavy metals in soil and agricultural products is one of the most important environmental that threatens the life of plants, animals and humans. This research was conducted to investigate the geo-statistical analysis of Pb and Cd distributed in the southwest of Isfahan using environmental indexes in 2017. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study with 150 samples in the southwest region of Isfahan province. The sampling was initially randomly performed on a regular network at a distance of 3 km to a depth of 0-10 cm. The sampling distance was reduced to about 50 meters by approaching the lead and zinc mine or residential area. The concentration of lead and cadmium was measured by digestion of samples with a mixture of nitric acid and chloride acid with the help of atomic absorption spectroscopy. The distribution of heavy metals was studied using geostatistical analysis. Results: The highest and lowest concentrations of lead and cadmium were observed around the Irankouh complex and Sepahan Shahr of Isfahan with a value of above 300 and below 200 mg / kg, respectively. The concentration of cadmium and lead in the Baharestan town and Sofeh forest park is below the standard level. The highest and lowest factor contamination of lead and cadmium contamination (CF) was observed around the Irankouh complex and Sepahan Shahr of Isfahan with the amount above 6 and below 3, respectively. Conclusion: Heavy metal distribution mapping using environmental indexes can indicate the status of pollution distribution in the region.