Characterization of pollution indices in soil surrounding a power plant by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract

The distribution of pollution indices of copper, iron, lead, and nickel in the soil around a gas fired power plant were determined by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 90 mJ and 1064 nm was employed to convert the soil into a plasma that was characterized by optical emission spectroscopy. High concentrations of copper, iron, lead, and nickel were measured near the power station. The enrichment factors for lead, copper, nickel, and iron were 0.38–0.64, 0.2–0.65, 0.49–0.73, and 1.02–1.46 with means of 0.48, 0.37, 0.60, and 1.16. Geo-accumulation was observed to be in class 0 (unpolluted) for all metals except for iron, which was in class 0–1. The ecological risk factor was in the low potential range for all metal concentrations. From the center to the outskirts of power station and from surface to deep soil, the soil quality varied from low polluted to unpolluted for heavy metals due to power plant emission, fuel storage, and station remnants.