Abstract

Background: Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils near industrial zones poses a persistent threat to soil quality, crop safety, and public health. This study assessed seasonal and spatial variations of heavy metal contamination in soils from the Kenana and Asalaya industrial zones in Sudan during dry and wet seasons. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 soil samples were collected from industrial and control sites in Kenana and Asalaya during dry and wet seasons. Samples were digested and analyzed for Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Mn, Zn, and Cd using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 26.0; descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used to assess seasonal and spatial variation at p < 0.05, with results compared against WHO soil guideline values. Results: Contamination levels were higher in Kenana than in Asalaya, particularly during the wet season. Chromium recorded the highest concentration (142.543 ppm) in Kenana, exceeding the international permissible limit (100 ppm), while copper also surpassed recommended levels during the wet season (45.511 ppm). Cadmium was not detected in any sample, whereas Fe, Mn, Zn, and Pb remained within acceptable limits. Conclusion: On the basis of the results obtained in this study, we conclude that rainfall and runoff enhance heavy metal mobility and accumulation in surface soils, with chromium and copper posing the greatest contamination risk in the Kenana zone. Continuous environmental monitoring and stricter industrial waste management are recommended to protect soil quality and public health.