Contamination and Environmental Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soils of Palm Farms in Northwest Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Thirty-four surface soil samples were collected from the palm farms of Al-Ammariah area, northwest Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to assess contamination and environmental risk potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), strontium (Sr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn) analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP–AES). Several pollution indices employed evaluate risks these PTEs. Average values (mg/kg) for Cr (19.97), Pb (5.08), Cu (11.36), Zn (52.16), Ni (26.94), Co (3.89), V (18.94) under recorded soils globally, while average Hg (0.50) U (8.06) greater than worldwide soils. Pollution indicated that studied exhibited indications severe enrichment significant with Hg, moderately As. The potential ecological (RI) findings a moderate level posed by PTEs in study area. originated both natural human sources, largely due chemical weathering neighboring mountains, addition widespread utilization insecticides fertilizers.