Analysis of heavy metal contaminated soils

Abstract

Heavy metal contaminated soils can be a long-term environmental concern and a potential financial liability to landowners. Hence, the assessment of heavy metal contaminated soil has received much attention in the last few decades. For a reliable and cost-efficient investigation, a well-planned sampling strategy, appropriate selection and implementation of analytical methods, and careful interpretation of results are prerequisites. This paper presents a brief overview of the preparatory, sampling, and analytical stages of an investigation of heavy metal contamination of soils, particularly in the analysis of heavy metal contaminated soils.