Study of Soil Pollutants in Omdurman Industrial Area, Sudan, Using X-ray Fluorescence Technique

In this work X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique was used to evaluate the soil pollution with heavy metals for twenty four surface soil samples (0–10 cm in depth) from various locations to cover the industrial area in Omdurman city, Sudan. Concentrations of 10 elements Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Pb, Rb, Co, Cd and As were determined. It was found that Cr, Cu and Cd concentrations for almost all studied sites are greater than the normal values, while most the Ni, Zn, Co, As and Pb concentrations are lower than the normal values. Some of the concentrations of As are greater than the normal values. The elemental concentrations were compared with the normal values and other studies in different locations from the world. The correlation between elements appears that pollution inside the investigated area results from different sources of contamination present inside it. The results establish a database reference of radioactivity background levels around this region.