Environmental Risks of Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil: A Case Study of Mosul's Left Side.

This study aims to assess the environmental risks associated with soil contamination by heavy metals. Heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, Co, As, and Cr) were analyzed in 31 samples regularly distributed on the left side of the city. Chemical analyses were conducted using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. The results showed variations in the concentrations of these elements between the studied sites. Concentrations of nickel, zinc, copper, and cobalt exceeded the global average values ​​in some sites, particularly in industrial areas and areas with intensive human activity. The highest concentrations of lead (273.2 ppm), nickel (260 ppm), and zinc (340 ppm) were found in industrial areas, indicating the impact of industrial waste, electronic waste, and power generators. The results of the environmental hazard index assessment showed that lead was the most hazardous element in the soil, followed by nickel and arsenic. Hazard index values ​​ranged from low to medium for most elements in the majority of samples, except for Sample S31 from the industrial area, which was classified as very high hazard. The potential ecological risk index values ​​ranged from 59.96–222.29, with an average of 91.24, indicating that the average environmental hazard for the study area falls within the moderate environmental hazard level, with some sites classified as having high environmental risks due to heavy element pollution. The results of this study confirm that industrial and unregulated human activities play a significant role in increasing levels of heavy metal pollution, posing a real threat to public health and the environment. The study recommends the need to implement strict environmental control measures and conduct periodic studies to monitor pollution and mitigate its potential impacts.