Accumulation of lead and cadmium in maize (Zea mays L.) plants growing in soil adjacent to the Northern Gas Company in Kirkuk

The area surrounding the North Gas Company, which is one of the most important sources of external pollutants, was chosen to study the pollution resulting from the North Gas Company and its impact on plants in the surrounding area with some heavy elements (lead and cadmium), as well as to estimate the bioaccumulation of plants. Three sites were identified to estimate the bioaccumulation at a distance of (50, 1255 and 3150) meters. Soil samples were collected at a depth of (0-20) centimeters in 25th, September, 2024.While about the plant , two samples were taken at the first station, one sample for each farm, while at the second and third stations Five samples per station were taken, one sample per farm, in the form of a semicircle surrounding the company. The concentration of chlorophyll, lead and cadmium in the plant was estimated., Also the chemical and physical analyses of the soil were conducted. The results of the analysis showed that the soil texture of the study area was classified as medium to fine, and the distance of the location from the company was a significantly effect on the average of both soil pH, EC and the concentration of total and available lead and cadmium while there was no significantly effect on chlorophyll in the plant. All sites had BCF values exceeding 1, with the exception of the third site for lead. This indicates that the plants have lead and cadmium were more concentrated in it than in the soil, and plants have a high potential to accumulate these elements (hyperaccumulator potential).