The patterns of lead and copper levels in the vicinity of heavy metal sources in Lampung, the southern part of Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Heavy metals may easily move through the air system and may deposit and accumulate in the soil system by water precipitation away from their sources. This research aimed to evaluate the soil concentrations of Pb and Cu in the vicinity of several sources of heavy metals in Lampung, the southern part of Sumatra, Indonesia. Soil samples were collected at distances of 0 (Central Points) to 500 m from the presumed centers of heavy metal sources, including industrial areas, heavily traffic/railroads, and the residential areas of Panjang (Bandar Lampung City), Tanjung Bintang, and Natar (South Lampung Regency). The results show similar patterns of Pb and Cu distributions along with the sampling points. The soil concentrations of Pb and Cu were highest at the central points (0 m) and decreased with distances towards the farthest sampling points of 500 m. The concentrations of Pb and Cu in Panjang were higher than those in Tanjung Bintang and Natar.