Impact of cement industries on potentially toxic elements’ contamination and other characteristics of topsoil: A case study

Abstract

Due to the elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the environment, we measured the PTE concentration in topsoils at a distance of 500, 1000, and 2000 m from 3 cement production factories (1 = DG Cement, 2 = Bestway Cement, Kallar Kahar, and 3 = Bestway Cement, Chakwal) toward east, west, north, and south direction. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and cobalt (Co) concentrations. It was recorded that the maximum PTE concentrations were found at 500 m distance and in north direction in 93% of the samples. The maximum Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn and Co concentrations were found around Bestway Cement, Chakwal at 4.13, 27.82, 6552.20, 93.47, 99.54, 46.83, and 72.62 mg kg−1, respectively. Similar results were found for the other two industries at same distance and direction. It was also revealed that contamination factor and geo-accumulation index were exceeding in the 84% and 81% of the total samples collected. The findings of the study indicate that there could be toxicity in soil and food crop in vicinity of the area, which should be studied.