Investigation of spatial distribution of lead and cadmium using geostatistical techniques and GIS (case study: field's surrounding Mobarakeh steel complex)

Population explosion and human ever-increasing demands has been resulted in industrialization which its mismanagement led to land pollution and consequently irreversible harm to nature and living organisms. Thus, it is an important measure to investigate the role of industrial centers in soil pollution.
We studied Mobarakeh Steel Industrial Complex and surface soil samples were taken in a regular grid with a dimension of 2 km of a 10 km buffer zone. 49 samples were taken from different sites. Soil parameters such as texture, pH and salinity were analyzed and concentrations of heavy metals including lead and cadmium were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry.
Data analysis in the GIS environment using geostatistical techniques showed that a spherical model is a good model to investigate the spatial variability of lead and cadmium. The lowest and highest lead concentrations were 88.50 and 71.26 mg/kg and that of Cd was 6 and 26.1 mg/kg, respectively. No significant relationship between the heavy metals and soil properties (P-value>0.05). However, the correlation between two elements was significant (P-value The results showed the role of the industrial complex in the environmental pollution. The hot spot for lead was eastern and southwestern parts of the steel complex and for Cd it was in eastern and western parts. Proper management and more accurate monitoring are necessary to protect the environment in the complex industry.