Pollution Caused by Vehicle Exhausts and Oil Trash Burning in Kirkuk city

Abstract

This study included the collection and analyses of twenty six soil samples, (twenty one samples) from dust residing on the main streets of Kirkuk city, and the remaining five were collected from different localities of older deposits which covered the ancient Kirkuk citadel. The analyses showed that there are an increase in the concentrations of Lead (pb), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) in the dust specimens. These elements regarded as polluting materials in the environment when compared with the natural limits of their concentrations in soil. The analyses of dust specimens showed an increase of the concentration of these elements when compared with those collected from older deposits covering the ancient Kirkuk citadel. This is due to heavy traffic and burning of petroleum trash in this city.Vehicle exhausts are the main source of high concentration of these elements, as well as the presence of Northern Oil Company in Kirkuk city.Fuel burning causes disorder in the concentration of these elements in different environments, thus reaching the human body via air, water and food.