Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Regional-scale fluxes of zinc, copper, and nickel into and out of the agricultural soils of the Kermanshah province in western Iran

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is important to study the status and trend of soil contamination with trace elements to make sustainable management strategies for agricultural soils. This study was conducted in order to model zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) accumulation rates in agricultural soils of Kermanshah province using input and output fluxes mass balance and to evaluate the associated uncertainties. The input and output fluxes of Zn, Cu, and Ni into (from) the agricultural soils of Kermanshah province via livestock manure, mineral fertilizers, municipal waste compost, pesticides, atmospheric deposition, and crop removal were assessed for the period 2000–2014. The data were collected to compute the fluxes at both township and regional scales from available databases such as regional agricultural statistics. The basic units of the balance were 9 townships of Kermanshah province. Averaged over the entire study region, the estimated net fluxes of Zn, Cu, and Ni into agricultural soils were 341, 84, and131 g ha year−1, with a range of 211 to 1621, 61 to 463, and 114 to 679 among the townships. The livestock manure was responsible for 55, 56, and 67 % of the total Zn, Cu, and Ni inputs at regional scale, while municipal waste compost and mineral fertilizers accounted for approximately 19, 38, and 15 % and 24, 4, and 14 % of the total Zn, Cu, and Ni inputs, respectively. Atmospheric deposition was a considerable source only for Ni and at township scale (7–29 % of total Ni input). For Zn, Cu, and Ni, the input-to-output ratio of the fluxes ranged from 1.8 to 48.9, 2 to 48.2, and 4 to 303 among townships and averaged 2.8, 3, and 9 for the entire study area, respectively. Considering that outputs other than with crop harvests are minor, this means that Zn, Cu, and Ni (in particular Ni) stocks are rapidly building up in soils of some parts of the study region. Uncertainties in the livestock manure and crop removal data were the main sources of estimation uncertainty in this study. This study provides the basic information to develop policies for controlling the trace elements inputs into agricultural soils of the study area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adriano, D. C. (2001). Trace elements in terrestrial environments. Biogeochemistry, bioavailability, and risks of metals (2nd ed.). New York: Springer Verlag.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Afyuni, M., Khoshgoftarmanesh, A. H., Dorostkar, V., & Moshiri, R. (2007). Zinc and Cadmium content in fertilizers commonly used in Iran (pp. 24–28). Istanbul: International Conference of Zinc Crops.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersson, A. (1992). Trace elements in agricultural soils-fluxes, balances and background values. Report 4077. Uppsala: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassanino, M., Sacco, D., Zavattaro, L., & Grignani, C. (2011). Nutrient balance as a sustainability indicator of different agro-environments in Italy. Ecological Indicators, 11(2), 715–723. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2010.05.005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belon, E., Boisson, M., Deportes, I. Z., Eglin, T. K., Feix, I., Bispo, A. O., & Guellier, C. R. (2012). An inventory of trace elements inputs to French agricultural soils. Science of the Total Environment, 439, 87–95. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.09.011.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson, H., Öborn, I., Jonsson, S., Nilsson, I., & Andersson, A. (2003). Field balances of some mineral nutrients and trace elements in organic and conventional dairy farming-a case study at Öjebyn, Sweden. European Journal of Agronomy, 20(1), 101–116. doi:10.1016/S1161-0301(03)00079-0.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson, H., Alvenäs, G., Nilsson, S. I., Hultman, B., & Öborn, I. (2006). Cadmium, copper and zinc leaching and surface run-off losses at the Öjebyn farm in Northern Sweden-temporal and spatial variation. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 113(1), 120–138. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2005.09.001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chianu, J. N., Chianu, J. N., & Mairura, F. (2012). Mineral fertilizers in the farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 32(2), 545–566. doi:10.1007/s13593-011-0050-0.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cobo, J. G., Dercon, G., & Cadisch, G. (2010). Nutrient balances in African land use systems across different spatial scales: a review of approaches, challenges and progress. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 136(1), 1–15. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2009.11.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dach, J., & Jakubus, M. (2001). National report from Poland. In H. Eckel, H. Dohler, & U. Roth (Eds.), Assessment and Reduction of Heavy Metal Input into Agro-Ecosystems (AROMIS) (pp. 177–187). Darmstadt: EU Concerted Action QLK5-2000-00670, Kuratorium fur Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dach, J., & Starmans, D. (2005). Heavy metals balance in Polish and Dutch agronomy: actual state and previsions for the future. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 107(4), 309–316. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2005.02.017.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Vries, W., & Bakker, D. J. (1998). Manual for calculating critical loads of heavy metals for terrestrial ecosystems; guidelines for critical limits, calculation methods and input data. Report 166. Wageningen: DLO Winand Staring Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolan, D. M., & Bierman, V. J. (1982). Mass balance modeling of heavy metals in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 8(4), 76–694. doi:10.1016/S0380-1330(82)72008-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, A. (1996). Criteria for sustainability in the development of indicators for sustainable development. Chemosphere, 33(9), 1739–1748. doi:10.1016/0045-6535(96)00190-7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giller, K. E., Witter, E., & McGrath, S. P. (1998). Toxicity of heavy metals to microorganisms and microbial processes in agricultural soils: a review. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 30(10), 1389–1414. doi:10.1016/S0038-0717(97)00270-8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giller, K. E., Witter, E., & McGrath, S. P. (1999). Assessing risks of heavy metal toxicity in agricultural soils: do microbes matter? Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 5(4), 683–689. doi:10.1080/10807039.1999.9657732.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gustafson, G. M., Salomon, E., & Jonsson, S. (2007). Barn balance calculations of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, N, P, S and Zn in a conventional and organic dairy farm in Sweden. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 119(1), 160–170. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2006.07.003.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horne, A. J., & Goldman, C. R. (1974). Suppression of nitrogen fixation by blue-green algae in a eutrophic lake with trace additions of copper. Science, 183(4123), 409–411. doi:10.1126/science.183.4123.409.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IRIMO. (2013). Islamic Republic of Iran Meteorological Organization. Available at: http://www.irimo.ir/eng/index.php.

  • Jones, J. B., Jr. (2001). Laboratory guide for conducting soil tests and plant analysis (pp. 27–160). Boca Raton: CRC press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karami, M., Amini, M., Afyuni, M., Khoshgoftarmanesh, A. H., Keller, A., Abdi, A., & Schulin, R. (2014). Agricultural zinc fluxes into soils and crops of central Iran at regional scale. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 60(3), 437–456. doi:10.1080/03650340.2013.794936.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karimi, N., Ghaderian, S. M., Maroofi, H., & Schat, H. (2009). Analysis of arsenic in soil and vegetation of a contaminated area in Zarshuran, Iran. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 12(2), 159–173. doi:10.1080/15226510903213977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller, T., & Desaules, A. (1999). Schadstoffgehalte und Orientierungswerte in Böden der Schweiz 1990 bis 1996. Umweltmaterialien. Bern: Federal Office of Environment, Forests and Landscape (FOEFL).

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller, A., & Schulin, R. (2003). Modelling heavy metal and phosphorus balances for farming systems. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 66(3), 271–284. doi:10.1023/A:1024410126924.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keller, A., Von Steiger, B., Van der Zee, S. E. A. T. M., & Schulin, R. (2001). A stochastic empirical model for regional heavy-metal balances in agroecosystems. Journal of Environmental Quality, 30(6), 1976–1989. doi:10.2134/jeq2001.1976.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keller, A., Abbaspour, K. C., & Schulin, R. (2002). Assessment of uncertainty and risk in modeling regional heavy-metal accumulation in agricultural soils. Journal of Environmental Quality, 31(1), 175–187. doi:10.2134/jeq2002.1750.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • KRCC (2013). Kermanshah Recycling and Composting Company. Kermanshah, Iran, Available at: http://www.rck.co.ir/index-en.php5.

  • Luo, L., Ma, Y., Zhang, S., Wei, D., & Zhu, Y. G. (2009). An inventory of trace element inputs to agricultural soils in China. Journal of Environmental Management, 90(8), 2524–2530. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.01.011.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moolenaar, S. W. (1998). Sustainable management of heavy metals in agro-ecosystems. Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen.

  • Moolenaar, S. W., & Lexmond, T. M. (1998). Heavy-metal balances of agro-ecosystems in the Netherlands. NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 46(2), 171–192.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moolenaar, S. W., Van Der Zee, S. E., & Lexmond, T. M. (1997). Indicators of the sustainability of heavy-metal management in agro-ecosystems. Science of the Total Environment, 201(2), 155–169. doi:10.1016/S0048-9697(97)00123-X.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, F. A., Smith, S. R., Alloway, B. J., Carlton‐Smith, C., & Chambers, B. J. (2006). Quantifying heavy metal inputs to agricultural soils in England and Wales. Water and Environment Journal, 20(2), 87–95. doi:10.1111/j.1747-6593.2006.00026.x.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Öborn, I., Edwards, A. C., Witter, E., Oenema, O., Ivarsson, K., Withers, P. J. A., & Stinzing, A. R. (2003). Element balances as a tool for sustainable nutrient management: a critical appraisal of their merits and limitations within an agronomic and environmental context. European Journal of Agronomy, 20(1), 211–225. doi:10.1016/S1161-0301(03)00080-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oenema, O., Kros, H., & De Vries, W. (2003). Approaches and uncertainties in nutrient budgets: implications for nutrient management and environmental policies. European Journal of Agronomy, 20(1), 3–16. doi:10.1016/S1161-0301(03)00067-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poulsen, H. D. (1998). Zinc and copper as feed additives. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 7, 135–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulin, R. (1993). Contaminant mass balances in soil monitoring. In Soil Monitoring (pp. 55-71). Birkhäuser Basel. doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-7542-4_7.

  • Sheppard, S. C., Grant, C. A., Sheppard, M. I., De Jong, R., & Long, J. (2009). Risk indicator for agricultural inputs of trace elements to Canadian soils. Journal of Environmental Quality, 38(3), 919–932. doi:10.2134/jeq2008.0195.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shomar, B. H. (2006). Trace elements in major solid-pesticides used in the Gaza Strip. Chemosphere, 65(5), 898–905. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.03.004.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sparks, D. L., Page, A. L., Helmke, P. A., Loeppert, R. H., Soltanpour, P. N., Tabatabai, M. A., & Sumner, M. E. (1996). Methods of soil analysis. Part 3-Chemical methods. Soil Science Society of America Inc.

  • USEPA. (1998). Method 3051A (Microwave assisted acid digestion of sediments, sludge’s, soils and oils). Washington DC: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. 24 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Steiger, B., & Obrist, J. (1993). Available databases for regional mass balances in agricultural land. In Soil Monitoring (pp. 35–46). Birkhäuser Basel. doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-7542-4_4.

  • Walker, T. W., & Adams, A. F. R. (1985). Studies on soil organic matter: influence of phosphorus content of parent material on accumulation of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and organic phosphorus in grassland soils. Soil Science, 85(6), 307–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeganeh, M. (2012). Modeling accumulation rates of heavy metals in surface soils of Hamadan province and assessing its associated risk for human health. Ph.D. thesis, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran (in Persian).

  • Yeganeh, M., Afyuni, M., Khoshgoftarmanesh, A. H., Khodakarami, L., Amini, M., Soffyanian, A. R., & Schulin, R. (2013). Mapping of human health risks arising from soil nickel and mercury contamination. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 244, 225–239. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.11.040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zee, S. V. D., & De Haan, F. A. M. (1998). Monitoring, control and remediation of soil degradation by agrochemicals, sewage sludge and composted municipal wastes. Advances in Geo-Ecology, 31, 607–614.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran

    Shahab Ahmadi Doabi & Majid Afyuni

  2. Department of Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering Campus, Razi University, Kermanshah, 6715685438, Iran

    Mahin Karami

Authors
  1. Shahab Ahmadi Doabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mahin Karami
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Majid Afyuni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shahab Ahmadi Doabi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ahmadi Doabi, S., Karami, M. & Afyuni, M. Regional-scale fluxes of zinc, copper, and nickel into and out of the agricultural soils of the Kermanshah province in western Iran. Environ Monit Assess 188, 216 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5225-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5225-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation