Contribution of Southern Baghdad Power Plants on Soil Contamination by Pb, Zn, Co, and Cr: Spatial Analysis and Pollution Indices

Abstract The combustion of low-quality fossil fuels in power plants in southern Baghdad causes soil pollution with heavy metals. The results showed a significant increase in heavy metal concentrations, with lead (1391.9 ppm), zinc (140.28 ppm), cobalt (46.28 ppm), and chromium (137.55 ppm). The results of the study, using the Geo-accumulation index and Contamination factor pollution indices, showed severe lead pollution in the studied soil, reaching 95%, while chromium, copper, and zinc were classified as moderately to highly polluted. The results of the spatial analysis using the QGIS program revealed a major environmental hazard in the Southern Baghdad Power Plants area, which is responsible for soil pollution with heavy metals and poses a major threat to public health and the environment. The results call for the need to take preventive measures to reduce this pollution.