Assessment of Soil Fertility and Heavy Metal Contamination: Nutrient Analysis and Health Risk Evaluation in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Northern Iraq

Shahla Sherwan Rasool; Suzan Bapir Ismail; Raad Mohammed Abdullah; Masoud Hussein Hamed

Article Details

Assessment of Soil Fertility and Heavy Metal Contamination: Nutrient Analysis and Health Risk Evaluation in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Northern Iraq

Authors:

Shahla Sherwan Rasool | Suzan Bapir Ismail | Raad Mohammed Abdullah | Masoud Hussein Hamed

Publisher:

University of Kirkuk

Journal:

Kirkuk Journal of Science Vol.21 Issue 1, pp.58-70

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001932268

pISSN:

3005-4788

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Soil quality plays a critical role in environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity, and human health. This study aimed to evaluate soil fertility status, heavy metal contamination, and associated non-carcinogenic health risks in ten selected sites in Sulaymaniyah province, Iraq. Soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected and analyzed for essential nutrients (K, Mg, Mn, Ca, and Mo) and heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Co) using standard analytical methods, including ICP-OES. Soil quality was evaluated using contamination factor (Cf), potential ecological risk index (RI), and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment soil quality index (CCME-SoQI). Human health risks were assessed through estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI). The results indicated elevated concentrations of Zn (up to 103.88 mg/kg), Pb (114.02 mg/kg), Cd (3.26 mg/kg), and Cu (191.30 mg/kg) at certain sites, exceeding WHO permissible limits, particularly at sites S7 and S9. Nutrient analysis indicated adequate levels of K (45.8-179.00 mg.kg⁻¹), Mg (177.7-253.7 mg.kg⁻¹), and Mn (22.3-43.4 mg.kg⁻¹), while Ca (up to 8246.7 mg.kg⁻¹) and Mo (up to 0.469 mg.kg⁻¹) were excessively high in several locations. CCME-SoQI values ranged from 36.68 to 78.03, classifying most sites as having environmental concern. Health risk assessment revealed that HQ and HI values were low and limited, with HI (0.028 to 0.080), indicating no risk through soil ingestion, although Pb and Co contributed relatively higher risk values. Overall, the results highlight localized heavy metal contamination and nutrient imbalance, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and sustainable soil management strategies.

Article Details

Assessment of Soil Fertility and Heavy Metal Contamination: Nutrient Analysis and Health Risk Evaluation in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Northern Iraq

Authors: Shahla Sherwan Rasool | Suzan Bapir Ismail | Raad Mohammed Abdullah | Masoud Hussein Hamed

Publisher: University of Kirkuk

Journal: Kirkuk Journal of Science Vol.21 Issue 1, pp.58-70

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 1/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001932268

pISSN: 3005-4788

Health risk

ecological risk

heavy metals

soil quality

nutrients

Issues

Authors:

Shahla Sherwan Rasool | Suzan Bapir Ismail | Raad Mohammed Abdullah | Masoud Hussein Hamed

Publisher:

University of Kirkuk

Journal:

Kirkuk Journal of Science Vol.21 Issue 1, pp.58-70

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001932268

pISSN:

3005-4788