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Heavy Metal Pollution Indices

Calculate 6 internationally recognized pollution indices: Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Ecological Risk Index (RI), and Nemerow Index.

Metal Concentrations

Enter values in mg/kg (ppm)

Typical soil Fe: 10,000 - 50,000 mg/kg

Index Classification Reference

Enter metal concentrations and click Calculate

Results will appear here

About Pollution Indices

These indices provide a comprehensive assessment of soil pollution by comparing measured metal concentrations to background reference values. Different indices emphasize different aspects: CF shows individual contamination, PLI gives overall site quality, Igeo accounts for natural variation, EF identifies anthropogenic sources, RI assesses ecological toxicity, and Nemerow highlights the worst-case metal.

Scientific References

  • • Hakanson, L. (1980). Ecological Risk Index
  • • Muller, G. (1969). Index of Geoaccumulation
  • • Tomlinson, D.L. et al. (1980). Pollution Load Index
  • • Salomons & Forstner (1984). Enrichment Factor
  • • Nemerow, N.L. (1974). Comprehensive Pollution Index