Student Research Reports

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Soil contamination due to wastewater disposal is a growing concern, particularly in Borg El Arab, where silt clay loam soil has been exposed to unregulated wastewater from school projects. Initially, the wastewater appeared to damage the soil, but over time, unexpected plant growth was observed, prompting an investigation into the long-term effects of heavy metal accumulation. This study aims to analyze the changes in soil composition, particularly the concentration of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As), while developing a low-cost, efficient detection and remediation system. The proposed solution involves a geo-filter (gravel, sand, cotton balls) for sediment removal, a neodymium magnet for heavy metal segregation, and a dithizone-based colorimetric method coupled with a color sensor for cadmium quantification. The sensor detects color intensity, converting it into concentration values in real-time and interfacing with an Arduino-based system for automated monitoring. Experimental results demonstrate significant reductions in heavy metal concentration after filtration, validating the efficiency of the proposed system. Compared to traditional remediation techniques like zeolite, biochar, and organic waste amendments, this method offers a cost-effective, rapid, and portable solution for real-time soil monitoring and contamination control. This research contributes to environmental sustainability by providing a practical tool for detecting and mitigating heavy metal pollution in agricultural and urban soils.