Abstract
The excessive input of heavy metals into agricultural soils has become one of the most important concerns in the third world cities all over the world. The contamination of agricultural soils can affect the health of people living in agricultural areas and the surrounding ecosystems. The current study was conducted to assess the quality of urban and suburban soils of the City of Fez (Morocco), which are irrigated by waters enriched by heavy metals. The main objective was to define the distribution and the mobility of heavy metals in different soil compartments using the method of sequential extractions. The samples were also investigated for mineralogy using X-ray diffraction. The identified minerals were mainly composed of quartz, carbonate and clay minerals. Smectite and mixed-layer (chlorite-vermiculite and mica-smectite) are by far the most abundant clay minerals in all soils. The study of the availability and distribution of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in urban soils, allowed us to observe a total content of Cr in the Oued Fez soils which is lower than the contents in the Oued Sebou soils. The Cu and Zn contents are low in Oued Sebou. Despite the Oued Fez input; the contents of these elements in the confluence do not increase. Sequential extractions completed the study of the potential mobility of heavy metals in different fractions of the soil. Indeed, this has allowed us to show that Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb are mostly related to the residual fraction; they are therefore theoretically little mobile; while Zn is practically related to the metals oxides fraction and exchangeable phase, respectively, in soils (FEZ1, FEZ2, SEBup) and (SEBdown, SEBconf), therefore the Zn is potentially mobile.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ABHS (2006) Hydrogeological synthesis study for the assessement of groundwater resources in the plain of Fez-Meknes. Interim report mission I
Amri N (2006) Physico-chemical self-purification of Oued Sebou and application of multi-element analysis techniques for assessing levels of heavy metals in sediments, soils and plants through Sebou. Thesis from the University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
Azzaoui S, El Hanbali M, Leblanc M (2002) Copper, lead, iron and manganese in the watershed of Sebou; source of contribution and impact on the quality of surface waters. Water Qual Res J Can 37(4):773–784
Bahaj T, El Wartiti M, Zaharaoui M, Caboi R, Cidu R (2001) Shallow groundwater in the Sebou basin (Northern Morocco). In: Cidu R (ed) Water-Rock Interaction. A.A. Balkema Publishers, Lisse, pp 619–622
Baize D (2000) Total concentrations of heavy metals in French soils. General results of the program of ASPITET. Mail environment 39:39–54
Bellarbi M, Rais N, Mouaddine A, Elsass F, Duplay J (2011) Physical and chemical characterization of soils from Fez west. In: 21st international symposium of sedimentary basins. Fez, Morocco
Buat-Menard P, Chesselet R (1979) Variable influence of the atmospheric flux on the trace metal chemistry of oceanic suspended matter. Earth Planet Sci Lett 42:398–411
Chapond G (1964) Hydrogeological study of the Meknes-Fez basin. Explanatory memorandum to the hydrogeological map of the basin Meknes-Fez 1/100,000 by Margat, J., 1960, p 70
Charrière A (1984) Neogene evolution of continental and marine basins in the Central Middle Atlas (Morocco). Bull Geol Soc France 26(6):1127–1136
Charrière A (1990) Hercynian heritage and Alpine geodynamic evolution of intracontinenal chain: the middle atlas SE of Fez (Morocco). Thesis from the University of Toulouse III, p 589 (unpublished)
Cirac P (1985) The upper Neogene south-western Rif basin. Evolution of sediment dynamics and paleogeography during a phase of filling. Thesis from the University of Bordeaux I, France, 2t p 285
Cornu S, Clozel B (2000) Sequential extractions and speciation of trace metals in natural soils: a critical analysis. Surv Land Manag 7(3):179–189
Dère C, Lamy I, Van Oort F, Baize D, Cornu S (2006) Replenishment contributions in trace metals and assessment of their migration in a sandy Luvisol subjected to 100 massive irrigation with raw sewage. Geosci (accepted)
De Waele et al (2004) Geo-environmental risk in the upper valley of the Oued Sebou (Fez, Cenral Morocco): a preliminary approach. J Afr Environ Sci 39:491–500
Drever J (1982) The geochemistry of natural waters, 1st edn. Prentice-Hall Inc., NJ, p 388
Dridri A, Fedan B (2001) Origin and distribution of surficial clays of Middle Sebou (Morocco). Bull Sci Inst Rabat Sect Earth Sci 23:55–65
DRPE (1995) Department of research and planning of water. Hydrogeological study of the corridor Fez-Taza. Unpublished report, p 81
El Ass K, Laachach A, Azzi M (2003) Study of the bioavailability of heavy meals in agricultural soils irrigated with polluted water. Waste Sci Technol 32:31–36
El Ass K, Laachach A, Azzi M (2004) Three-stage sequential extraction procedure for metal partitioning in polluted soils and sediments. Ann Chim-Rome, by Societa chemica Italiana, p 94
El Haite H (1991) Elements of response for better pollution control and wastewater management in Fez. Thesis from the University Moulay Ismail, Meknes (Morocco), p 158
Emmerich WE, Lund LJ, Page AL, Chang AC (1982) Solid phase forms of heavy metals in sewage sludge-treated soils. J Environ Qual 29:622–628
Essahlaoui A, Sahbi H, Babi L, El-Yamine N (2001) Reconnaissance of the geological sructure of the western basin of Saiss, Morocco, by electrical soundings. J Afr Earth Sci 32(4):777–789
Fernandez Alborez A, Perez-Cid B, Fernandez Gomez E, Falque Lopez E (2000) Comparison between sequential extraction procedures and single extractions for metal partitioning in sewage sludge samples. Analyst 125:1353
Haida M, Ait Fora A, Probst JL, Snoussi M (1999) Hydrology and hydro-climatical fluctuations in the watershed of Sebou between 1940 and 1994. Sécheresse 3(10):221–226
Ianni C, Ruggieri N, Rivaro P, Frache R (2001) Evaluation and comparison of two selective extraction procedures for heavy metal speciation in sediments. Anal Sci 17:1273
Koukal B, Dominik J, Vignati D, Arpagaus P, Santiago S, Ouddane B, Benaabidate L (2004) Assessment of water quality and toxicity of polluted Rivers Fez and Sebou in the region of Fez (Morocco). Environ Pollut 131:163–172
Laouina AE (1973) Geomorphological observations in the Middle Sebou, upstream of Fez. Geol J Moroc 23–24:3–31
Li Q, Zhou J, Chen B, Huang B, Zeng X, Zhan J, X Pan (2014) Toxic metal contamination and distribution in soils and plants of a typical metallurgical industrial area in southwest of China. Environ Earth Sci. doi:10.1007/s12665-014-3118-8
Linzon SN (1978) Phytotoxicology excessive levels of contaminants in soil and vegetation. Report of ministry of Environment, Ontario
MacDonald M, Paterns Ltd (1990) Establishment and development of management model of groundwater in the basin Fez-Meknes. Final unpublished report, p 34
Martin J (1981) The central middle Atlas. Geomorphological study. Notes and memoirs Geological Unit, Morocco 258a, p 447
McKenzie RM (1980) The adsorption of Lead and other heavy metals on oxides of Manganese and Iron. Aust J Soil Res 18:61–73
Nazer DW, Al-Sa’ed RM, Siebel MA (2006) Reducing the environmental impact of the unhairing–liming process in the leather tanning industry. J Clean Product 14:65–74
Nirel PM, Morel FM (1990) Pitfalls of sequential extractions. Water Res 24:1055–1056
Paquet H (1969) Geochemical evolution of clay minerals in the soil and changes of Mediterranean and tropical climates with distinc seasons. Thesis. Strasbourg, France, p 348
Perrin JL, Bellarbi M, Lombard-Latune R, Rais N, Chahinian N, Ijjaali M (2010) Spatial and temporal variation of the water quality of an intermittent river, Oued Fez (Morocco). Global change: facing risks and threats to water resources. Sixth World FRIEND Conference. IAHS Publ, Fez, p 340
Prabhavathy C, De S (2010) Treatment of fatliquoring effluent from tannery using membrane separation process: experimental and modelling. J Hazard Mater 176:434–443
Rachid A (1997) Neogene basins of the furrow south Rif and north eas Rif (Morocco): sedimentology, palaeogeography and dynamic evolution. Thesis from the University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, Fez, p 333
Rauret G (1998) Extraction procedures for the determination of heavy metals in contaminated soil and sediment. Talanta 46:449–455
Salomons W, Forstner U (1980) Trace metal analysis on polluted sediments. Part II: Evaluation of environmental impact. Environ Lett 1:506
Singh BR, Steinnes E (1994) Soil and water contamination by heavy metals. In: Lal R, Stewart BA (eds) Soil processes and water quality. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 233–271
Snoussi M (1986) Nature, assessment and comparison of material flows from the watersheds L’Adour (France), Sebou, Oum-Er-Rbia and Souss (Morocco). Impact of climate on fluvial inputs to the ocean. Thesis from the University of Bordeaux I, France, p 409
Sutherland RA, Tack FM (2000) Metal phase associations in soils from an urban watershed, Honolulu, Hawaii. Sci Totat Environ 256:103–113
Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The continental crust: its composition and evolution. Blackwell Scientific Publication, Carlton, p 312
Tessier A, Campbell PGC, Bisson M (1979) Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of particulate trace metals. Anal Chem 51:844–851
Wang X-S (2014) Heavy metal geochemistry and mineral magnetic characterization of urban soil in Xuzhou, China. Environ Earth Sci. doi:10.1007/s12665-014-3176-y
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bellarbi, M., Rais, N., Elsass, F. et al. Speciation of Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn in soils irrigated with contaminated waters: A case study of agricultural soils from the plain of Saiss (Fez, Morocco). Environ Earth Sci 73, 3465–3474 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3631-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3631-9