X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analysis of Metals Concentration in Soil Samples from Lojing Highlands and Royal Belum Rainforest

This study was conducted to determine selected metals in soil of the two different locations using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Eight soil samples were collected from high anthropogenic impact areas at Lojing Highlands, Kelantan. While, six soil samples were taken at untouched area at the Royal Belum Rainforest, Perak. The research is aimed to determine the concentration of metals namely Al, Ba, Mn, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd and Se and comparison their concentration with acceptable standard limits. Soil samples were analysis using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). The metals concentration level at the Lojing Highlands were Al > Ba > Mn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cd > Se, while at the Royal Belum rainforest were Al > Ba > Mn > Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Se > Cd. Prom this study, it was discovered that almost all metals concentrations exceed the limit recommended by the U.S. EPA Regulatory limits on heavy metals applied to soil (Adapted from U.S. EPA, 1993) and USEPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Hazardous Waste Land Treatment. Index of Geo-accumulation (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used as pollution indices to identify the levels of pollutions. Considering all the heavy metals studied at the study areas, Lojing Highlands dominated in all the investigations relating to the anthropogenic impact. This is attributed to the anthropogenic point source contamination. Extremely high contents of the metals recorded at the study area are terribly alarming in terms of environmental pollution. Therefore, the residents (mostly children) and workers, who reside and work at such polluted environment, are at serious risk of the heavy metal toxicity. Hence, awareness among the residents needs to be created.