The Impact of Industrial Activities on Soil Pollution Using Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the elemental composition and pollution levels in soil samples collected from various factories in different governorates of Iraq. The specific factories investigated were a cement factory in Diwaniyah governorate, a coal factory in Karbala governorate, and napo river in hilla governorate. To analyze the soil samples and identify the presence of different elements and pollutants, the researchers employed a technique called Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS is a spectroscopic method that uses a laser to generate a plasma in the sample, and the emitted light from the plasma is analyzed to determine the elemental composition. The intensity of Cu, Si, Ca, Au, and Dy was found to be high, indicating their relatively higher concentration in the soil samples. On the other hand, the remaining elements exhibited medium to low-intensity levels, suggesting lower concentrations of those elements in the samples. Furthermore, when the LIBS technique was applied to study the environmental conditions around the nearby factories, the consistent presence of Ti (titanium) and Fe (iron) was observed in all the samples examined. Overall, the study provides important information about the elemental composition and pollution levels in soil samples collected from different factories in Iraq. The results highlight the presence of specific elements and their varying intensities, indicating the potential impact of these factories on the surrounding environment.