Ambient background and quality reference values for trace metals in soils from Algeria

Abdelkader Laribi, Charles Shand, Renate Wendler, Brahim Mouhouche, Stephen Hillier and Gilles Colinet
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Charles Shand: The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Renate Wendler: The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Brahim Mouhouche: Département de Génie Rural, Laboratoire de Maîtrise de l'eau en Agriculture (LMEA), Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique (ENSA), El Harrach, Algiers, Algeria
Stephen Hillier: The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Gilles Colinet: University of Liège, Gembloux Agro Bio-Tech, BIOSE Dpt, Gembloux, Belgium

Soil and Water Research, 2023, vol. 18, issue 1, 33-42

Abstract: The establishment of the reference ambient background concentrations (ABCs) and quality reference values (QRVs) for trace metal (TM) concentrations in soils are required for the environmental assessment and any implementation of a protective action. This information is lacking for soils of the eastern Mitidja plain, which is an important agricultural production area in Algeria. Data for the aqua regia extractable Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations from 180 composite topsoil samples taken across the Mitidja plain in a stratified random pattern were statistically analysed. Descriptive statistical methods and linear regression equations were applied to determine the upper limit of the ABCs for the TMs. After removal of outliers, the derived QRVs were: Cd 0.24, Cr 62.1, Cu 99.3, Fe 45 590, Ni 47.7, Pb 33 and Zn 115 mg/kg. Iron is a macro element in the soils, but is included as its concentration can be used to normalise the concentrations of the other elements. The derived QRVs are similar or less than those reported for other regions of the world, apart from Cu, where a wide range (36 to 206 mg/kg) is reported. These reference values can be used to identify areas that may require follow-up surveys or to identify priority sites for decision making.

Keywords: environmental assessment; Mitidja plain; potentially toxic elements; soil contamination; threshold value (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlswr:v:18:y:2023:i:1:id:143-2021-swr

DOI: 10.17221/143/2021-SWR

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