ASSESSMENT OF STRONTIUM (SR) DISTRIBUTION AND CONTAMINATION IN SOILS OF KIRKUK GOVERNORATE – IRAQ
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1007-4902Keywords:
Strontium (Sr), Soil Contamination, Geochemical Assessment, ICP-MS, Kirkuk GovernorateAbstract
In this study, strontium (Sr) concentrations were measured, and the level of environmental contamination was evaluated in ten selected soil samples from Kirkuk Governorate, northeastern Iraq. Sr concentrations were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) following standard sample preparation procedures, including air-drying, grinding, and sieving. The average Sr concentration in the studied soils was 245.66 ppm, with values ranging from 222 to 289 ppm. The degree of contamination was assessed using geochemical indices, including the Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), and Geo-accumulation Index (I-geo). Results indicated that Sr in the studied soils is predominantly derived from natural geological sources, with negligible anthropogenic input. Moderate EF values suggested slight localized enrichment, whereas low CF and I-geo values confirmed the absence of significant environmental risk. Overall, these findings provide a geochemical baseline for Sr in Kirkuk soils and offer valuable reference data for future environmental monitoring and geochemical studies in the region.
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