The effect of land use in wetlands on heavy metal concentrations of soils

This study, conducted in Sultan Marshes, aims to determine the effects of different land use patterns on soil heavy metal concentrations in wetlands. Soil samples were collected from six land use types, including Southern Marshland (SM), Shrubland, Northern Marshland (NM), Grassland, Drylake (DL), and Farmland. The concentrations of 11 heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Mo, and As) were analyzed using ICP-MS and ICP-OES instruments. Data were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS (ANOVA, Duncan test), and the average total heavy metal loads were ranked as follows: SM> Shrubland> Farmland> Grassland> NM> DL. Except for Cd concentrations, all other heavy metals were significantly influenced by land use changes. In the SM exceeded past reference limit values for 6 metals (Cr, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mo, Ni), in Shrublands 5 metals (Cr, Pb, Cd, Mo, Ni), in Grassland and Farmland for 4 metals (Pb, As, Cd, Mo), in NM 3 metals (As, Cd, Mo), and in DL for 2 metals (Cd, As). Careful management of land use changes, particularly in SM, Grassland, Farmland, and Shrubland, is recommended to maintain wetland ecosystem continuity, mitigate environmental risks, monitor heavy metal concentrations, control human activities, and manage potential heavy metal sources.