Heavy Metal Contamination in Agricultural Soils: A Case Study in Mohammedia Benslimane Region (Morocco)

This research aimed to determine the physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations of agricultural soils used for grape and wheat production in Morocco in the Mohammedia Benslimane area. The organic matter (OM) content ranged from 0.6% to 2.93%. The degree of total nitrogen was higher in the wheat plots than in the vine plots in the Mohammedia and Benslimane regions. Total nitrogen average rates ranged from 0.04 to 0.5% and from 0.07 to 0.8% in the vine and wheat plots. These results imply that the soil was silty clay and clay texture, neutral to slightly acidic at all stations. The P2O5 concentrations were 11.15 ppm and 68.14 ppm under the vine and the wheat plots, respectively, while the potassium concentration ranged from 33.1 to 287.9 ppm and from 26.9 to 184.75 ppm under the vine and the wheat plots, respectively. Furthermore, the concentrations of Cd at a few stations exceeded the standard value (2 ppm), reaching 10.375 ppm. The Pb and Zn concentrations were higher in vineyard plots than in wheat plots. The Pb and Zn concentrations were 20.22 ppm and 148.60 ppm, respectively. This study reports updated information on the states of eight stations in Mohammedia and Benslimane. However, further research is necessary to determine the pollution factors in local practice crops and naturally growing plants at these stations to assess their impact on livestock and humans.