Chronical Soil Pollution with Chromium in the Tanneries Area: a Case Study in Damascus, Syria

Abstract

The present work was conducted to evaluate the chromium contamination and its relationship with soil components of the Eastern Ghouta of Damascus, Syria. Various areas were chosen in the terms of chromium content analysis. Soil samples were collected from these areas to a depth of 60 cm from the three layers, at intervals of 20 cm. The results showed that the levels of total and Cr^VI were within the normal limits in Al-Maamouniye (uncontaminated with chromium), Jobar (agricultural land), and Ein Tarma (agricultural land). While it exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) as per FAO and WHO on the area of Tanneries (Dabagat). The soil content of Cr^III (536.99, 474.34, 415.77 mg kg^–1) and Cr^VI (0.12, 0.51, 0.75 mg kg^–1) were determined in the layers of 0–20, 20–40, 40–60 cm, respectively. The results also showed that 80% of chromium was associated with organic matter in the soil of Al-Dabagat region. In contrast, approximately 85% of chromium was available in the remaining part of the Mamounia soil. It was noted the content of chromium, which is associated with iron and manganese oxides, were high. Although chromium was exchangeable and bounded to CaCO₃, however, its quantity was negligible. The results showed that the concentration of Cr^VI increased with depth at all the selected areas, in contrast to Cr^III which decreased with the depth of soils.