Studying the effect of a landfill on the soil through some heavy elements in its surroundings in mdoura - Zliten - Libya

Abstract

Soil is considered the primary renewable natural resource and the foundation of agricultural production. It is also a source of food and shelter for humans. Soil is formed as a result of climatic and geological factors and can range in thickness from a few centimeters to several meters. It consists of four main components: the mineral, air, water, and organic components, along with microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of open dumping in the Zliten region on the surrounding soil and the extent of its contamination with heavy metals, (Ni, Zn, Pb, and Fe), and to compare with international standards. A total of 39 soil samples were collected from 13 sites representing the four main directions: north, south, east, and west. Samples were collected at three depths: 20 cm, 30 cm, and 50 cm. Three samples were collected from each direction, and one sample was collected from the soil at the center of the dump. The samples were prepared using digestion methods, and analyses were conducted on the extracts. The results showed that the concentrations of the studied elements in milligrams per kilogram ranged as follows: iron (0.52-19.68), lead (0.08-6.54), zinc (2.54-43.86), and nickel (3.3-8.2). All concentrations were within the permissible l limits according to the World Health Organization (WHO).