Coastal environments are subject to trace metal pollution via a combination of industry and urbanised sources. The pollutants accumulate within surface sediments, espe- cially in the quieter backwaters of estuaries. An environmental assessment of the Port Hacking estuary, southern Sydney, Australia, was undertaken using 233 surface samples. Trace metal concentrations (Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and As) in these samples indicated that most elements in Port Hacking were below the relevant ANZECC/ARMCANZ guideline low trigger value (ISQG-low), but a few sites exceeded this value. The low trace metal concentrations are mainly because the catchment areas have limited urban development and few discharge points. In contrast, one site in Gunnamatta Bay has Zn and Cu concentrations that exceeded the high trigger value (ISQG-high), due to moored vessels, boatyards, and stormwater out- lets in this vicinity. Port Hacking is considered to be relatively unpolluted and healthy when compared with other Sydney estuaries.

In this study, the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) technique has been used in analysing 26 soil samples for five heavy metals: Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cr3+ and Ni2+ in Zakho district, Kurdistan region - Iraq. Heavy metals can be accrued to the soil during the releases of industrial waste, removal of extraordinary quality metal waste, petrochemical falls and etc. In all soil samples, heavy metals concentration was found in the range of 0.541 - 4.339 mg/L for Pb, 0.118 - 0.797 mg/L for Cu, 1.260 - 5.540 mg/L for Zn, 1.315 - 2.102 mg/L for Cr and 1.049 -1.635 mg/L for Ni. As shown in the result, the heavy metals concentration contents increases with fossil fuel combustion, industrial releases, and agricultural activities. However, the results of the AAS technique was found that the high concentration element Pb and Zn were determined than the other elements like Cu, Cr and Ni but less than acceptable limits in all cases. Regarding to achieve data in the recent research, soil of case study can be relatively considered unpolluted, healthy and it is suitable for growth plants and usable for other purposes.