Analytical Methods in Environmental Chemistry Journal
AMECJ

Analysis of heavy metals in compost soil using inductively coupled plasma and flame atomic absorption spectrometry: Physicochemical properties of composts in enhancing soil fertility

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hemalatha Vegi 1
V D N Kumar Abbaraju** 2
B S A Andrews 2
N V S Venugopal 2

1 Department of Environmental Sciences, GSS, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA – AP - 530045

2 Department of Chemistry, GSS, GITAM University, Andhra Pradesh Visakhapatnam () INDIA Department of Chemistry, GSS, GITAM University, Andhra Pradesh Visakhapatnam (530045) INDIA

https://doi.org/10.24200/amecj.v8.i03.1015
Abstract
This work investigates the physicochemical analysis of soil composts made from various raw ingredients. The quality and stability of composts differ depending on the components of the organic waste used in their production. So, pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and C/N ratio were analyzed. Anions such as nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO43-), chloride (Cl-), cations such as potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and sodium (Na+) were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Additionally, the concentrations of heavy metals in soil (Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cd) were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS). The CEC was analysed using the UV-Vis spectrophotometer method. The pH of the Kitchen (7.64) and dustbin (7.65) composts was found to be more alkaline than that of the commercial (7.02) compost. Kitchen compost (0.17 dS m-1) exhibited the lowest electrical conductivity and the highest C/N ratio (16.82), suggesting it decomposes more slowly but could provide long-lasting benefits to soil structure. Commercial composts, with their high nitrogen (1.28%), phosphorus (0.57%), and potassium (0.7%) content, make them the most effective for nutrient supply. However, kitchen compost, with its high concentration of Cu (1750 mg L-1), Zn (1488 mg L-1), and Fe (445 mg L-1) content, and Municipal Solid Waste Organic compost, with higher levels of Pb (118 mg L-1) and Cd (4.2 mg L-1), present both benefits and potential risks. Overall, while commercial composts supply nutrients and enhance soil, kitchen and Municipal Solid Waste Organic composts offer distinct advantages for soils.

Graphical Abstract

Analysis of heavy metals in compost soil using inductively coupled plasma and flame atomic absorption spectrometry: Physicochemical properties of composts in enhancing soil fertility

Keywords

Analysis
Soil composts
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Flame atomic absorption spectrometry
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Analytical Methods in Environmental Chemistry Journal
Volume 8, Issue 3
AMEC Publisher
Summer 2025
Pages 105-118