In conducting soil quality studies in an auto mechanic workshop village. I want to determine the quality standards of various parameters in soil e.g soil conductivity, nitrate, salinity, pH, bulk density, total organic carbon and heavy metals more especially Iron, Managanese, Copper, Zinc, Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead and Nickel etc.
I want to obtain the standards of any known authority in concentration of these parameters in soil for example WHO standard. Thanks for your anticipated response.
Dear Anukwonke
Soils are derived from various geological units. It is very hard to have worldwide standards as the geology of areas differs from each other. In case of heavy metals, you ought to develop local standards. You may first know the bulk concentration of metals in soil and subsequently use chemical partitioning studies to distinguish between lithogenic (standard or background level of metals) and anthropogenic one. There are a good number of papers on chemical partitioning studies that can be easily downloaded.
All the best.
Dear Anukwonke
Soils are derived from various geological units. It is very hard to have worldwide standards as the geology of areas differs from each other. In case of heavy metals, you ought to develop local standards. You may first know the bulk concentration of metals in soil and subsequently use chemical partitioning studies to distinguish between lithogenic (standard or background level of metals) and anthropogenic one. There are a good number of papers on chemical partitioning studies that can be easily downloaded.
All the best.
Can you revise this PDF file.
http://www.nemaug.org/regulations/minimum_standards_for%20management_of_soil.pdf
In your specific situation I would concentrate my resurces at first on issues coming along with the contamination sources which would be fuels, lubricants and selected heavy metals like Pb, Cd and Zn for instance! Try not only to analyze the soil, but also to set up an estimate on potential inputs of the contaminants.
Good suggestions fromDrs.Karbassi and Schnug. I appreciate the good refence attached by Mr.Ragab.Mr.Ragab,to which country the Soil quality standards belong?
The soil quality standards are area-specific, purpose/use-specific and then crop-specific. The researcher has first to decide, then consult the above referred materials. No one standard will suffice every where even may not be so in different parts of an individual country.
I so appreciate your responses so far. But if I can get WHO standards for specified uses as have been explained above I will so cherish
Mr.Charles,as I remember,WHO standards for heavy are available for water,not for soils.But many contries have permissible levels or standards for heavy metals in contaminated soils.Again the regulatory standards vary for agricultural purpose and other uses.The following paper provides the standards for heavy metals in agricultural soils for several countries.
Heavy metal contamination of soils:sources,indicators and assessment by He,Z.et al.Journal of Environmental Indicators,9:17-18,2015. www.environmentalindicators.net open access.References to the standards can also be consulted.
Scholar.uwindsor.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&content...
Interpreting the results of soil tests for heavy metals. by Grubinger,V and Ross,D. University of Vermont Extension
http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factheets/interpreting_heavy_metals_soil_tests_.pdf This fact sheet provides the heavy metal standards for different purposes.
Question is not clear?
For different soil sample extraction the standard is different.
Similarly the standard also varies for different crops.
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