Assessment of heavy metal pollution in urban topsoils from the metropolitan area of Mexico City


Por: Morton-Bermea, O, Hernandez-Alvarez, E, Gonzalez-Hernandez, G, Romero, F, Lozano, R, Beramendi-Orosco, LE

Publicada: 1 jun 2009
Resumen:
This study reports the degree of heavy metal pollution (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and V) in 135 urban topsoil samples from the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Pollution indices (PI) were calculated to identify the metal accumulation with respect to the background values. The levels of heavy metals in the analyzed samples show a wide range of variation. Lead, Zn and Cu are the elements most enriched in the analyzed area, presenting pollution indexes of up to 23.8, 21.6 and 12.4, respectively. Geochemical maps were produced to assess the spatial distribution of pollution index. It is concluded that emissions from vehicles may be the major source of Pb urban contamination; furthermore, other small or large factories are possible sources for soil pollution (Cu, Zn). The concentration of Cr, Ni, and V in most of the analyzed samples do not appear to reach pollution levels. The assessment of the soil environmental quality in the metropolitan area Mexico City in terms of PI can be used as the basis for a regular monitoring program for implementing suitable pollution control measures. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Filiaciones:
Morton-Bermea, O:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geofis, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Hernandez-Alvarez, E:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geofis, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Gonzalez-Hernandez, G:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geofis, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Romero, F:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geol, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Lozano, R:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geol, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico

Beramendi-Orosco, LE:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Geol, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
ISSN: 03756742





JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
Editorial
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, Países Bajos
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 101 Número: 3
Páginas: 218-224
WOS Id: 000266021600002