This study sought to estimate the heavy elements, lead, iron, zinc, manganese, cadmium, and copper in cultivated and uncultivated soils of Basrah, Iraq. Results showed that the concentration of elements in all locations was within permissible limits on surface layers, which were higher in concentration than in deep layers due to the elements’ internal transport, natural, some physical and chemical properties, i.e., pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and organic matter (OM). The soil acidity ranged between 7.70–7.25 and 7.88–7.25 for cultivated and uncultivated soils, respectively. As for the electrical conductivity, it has a range between 2.70–10.16 and 3.13–23 dS.m^-1 Organic matter extended between 0.269–1.500 and 0.349–0.816. The elements in cultivated soils were lesser than in the uncultivated grounds. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results at the 5% significance level showed no remarkable differences in the concentration of the studied elements, while significant variations appeared in the copper content.

Keywords: Pollution agricultural soil, trace elements, organic matter

Key findings: All element values studied in the agricultural soil were within natural limits due to a concentration increase in some elements, especially iron, compared with uncultivated soils, while lead showed no effect. The unit concentration in the cultivated soils in Basra City was lower than in international soils. The elements’ concentration in soil is as follows: Iron > manganese > copper > cadmium > zinc > lead.