Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in the Soils of an Agricultural Field Near the Bargny Cement Plant (Senegal)

Authors

  • Mamadou Lamine Sané Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal Author
  • Alassane Traoré Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal Author
  • Fatou Ka Gueye Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal Author
  • Modou Mbaye Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA), Senegal Author
  • Malick Sow Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal Author
  • Oumar Absatou Niasse Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/keskf284

Keywords:

Heavy Metals, Risk Assessment, Soils, Agricultural Field, Cement Industry

Abstract

In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals Fe, As, Mn, Cr, Ni, Zn, Ti, and Cu were measured in soil samples from an agricultural site located near a cement plant that has been operating in the area for several decades. The results of the analyses showed the following decreasing ranking of average concentrations: Fe > Ti > Cr > Ni > As > Mn > Zn > Cu. The maximum concentrations of As (54.79 mg/kg) and Cr (148.86 mg/kg) exceeded the limits set by the World Health Organization and 
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The analysis of correlations between the concentrations of the different heavy metals studied indicated anthropogenic origins for the metallic elements As, Zn, and Cr. The agricultural field showed moderate enrichment by Ni, significant enrichment by Cr, and very high enrichment by As, with enrichment factors of 4.725, 8.315, and 20.599, respectively. Approximately 33.33% of the study area had an as concentration exceeding the permitted limit. The individual pollution index (PI) indicated moderate as pollution of the agricultural field. The overall Neme row pollution index (PN) 
placed the study site within the precautionary range for the trace metal Cr. Regarding As, the site was in the area of severe pollution, with a PN of 3.097. However, the potential ecological risks were low.

Author Biographies

  • Mamadou Lamine Sané, Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

    Mamadou Lamine Sané; Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

  • Alassane Traoré, Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

    Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

  • Fatou Ka Gueye, Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

    Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

  • Modou Mbaye, Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA), Senegal

    Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA), Senegal

  • Malick Sow, Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

    Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

  • Oumar Absatou Niasse, Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

    Institute of Applied Nuclear Technology, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal

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Published

2026-04-28

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 4 (2026): Volume 8 Issue 4

Section

Articles