QUANTIFICATION OF THE HEAVY METALS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF MARDAN DISTRICT, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

*Soil samples were collected from Mardan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters (pH, EC, SOM), major cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn) and heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, As) concentrations using atomic absorption spectrometer. Based on concentration values, the major cations was found in order of Na> Ca >Fe> K > Mg >Mn. Increasing order of the heavy metal concentrations were as Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu >Pb> As > Cd. The enhanced values of heavy metals in the studied soils could be due to sulfide and mafic minerals in the soils of the study area. Metal concentrations were used to quantify pollution contamination factors (CFs) and pollution load index (PLI). It can be concluded from this classification that soils of the study area are polluted with some of the heavy metals.