Assessment of metallic trace element contents of soils and plants of urban and suburban areas of Safi City (Morocco)

Abstract

Our paper syntheses results obtained from studying the effect of typical contamination sources on soils and plants in selected urban and suburban areas in the Safi City. Using common methods, the physicochemical characterization and metallic trace elements (TEs) contents of plants and soils, collected from different urban areas, control area (CA), cement factory (SF), uncontrolled landfill (UL), treatment and transformation unit of phosphate (TP), were determined. Results show that the studied urban and suburban areas can be qualified as polluted by metallic trace elements and the most polluted one is TP area (CA < SF < UL < TP). Results underline the significant contribution of the atmospheric pollution on the contamination of soils and plants collected from TP, UL and surrounding areas with TEs. The most contaminated plants species by TEs are those sampled from TP area and they are Eucalyptus globulus, Nerium oleander, Ficus carica and Medicago sativa. Sinapis arvensis L. and Carpobrotus edulis plants come in the second level with remarkable contamination levels of TEs respectively. Industrial activities in urban areas constitute a potential source of contamination of soils and plants by metallic trace elements that may pose real health risk for human population in the city. We can considered this study as a primary work to develop a global process to assess the environmental contamination of plants and soils in the region of Safi city. It can help us to manage potential polluted sites in a sustainable development strategy.