The distribution of V, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb in topsoils of the Shuaiba industrial area of Kuwait

Soil samples were collected from selected locations in the Shuaiba Industrial Area of Kuwait from August 1993 to June 1994. The samples were analyzed for trace metal levels to determine the effect of the large oil spill in this area during the Gulf War of 1991. Sample solutions were prepared and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the surface soil samples from 0 to 10 cm contain as much as 10.96-112.80 mg/kg of V, 2.49-131.60 mg/kg of Ni, 26.80-138.12 mg/kg of Cr, 0-0.06 mg/kg of Cd, and 0.99-41.29 mg/kg of Pb. The levels reported had an abundance order of Cr > Ni > V > Pb > Cd in the soil samples. This is the first study providing information on a number of toxic metal distributions in the soil of Kuwait. It is recommended that appropriate measures be put in place by concerned industries to treat waste materials before discharging them into the immediate environment and to fund monitoring activities of research organizations in Kuwait. (C) 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.