Environmental Geochemical Mapping on Distribution of Metal Contamination in Topsoils Perlis, Malaysia

An extensive survey was conducted in this study to determine the spatial distribution and possible sources of 7 heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Mn) in the soils in Perlis and producing a heavy metal distribution maps. 18 soil samples around Perlis undergo microwave digestion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ICP-MS. The spatial distribution pattern shows that Cu, Pb, Cr and Zn have similar patterns of spatial distribution. Main sources of these element mainly form anthropogenic sources such as industrial activity and transportation in main roads where high traffic density was identified as contributor to heavy metal contamination in soil. Meanwhile the spatial distribution patterns of Ni, Co and Mn show hotspot areas were mainly located in the sides of the urban area where the road dust was significantly influenced by natural soils. Besides that geoaccumulation index was calculated and the values showed that all seven element classes as uncontaminated to moderately contaminated and possibly become seriously contaminated if no implementation of