Assessment of Tantalum Distribution and Soil Quality Degradation in Al-Muthanna Province Using Geographic Information Systems and X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis

The study focused on determining concentrations and extent element Tantalum in the soil using different techniques represented in laboratory research and the geographic information systems (GIS) program. It will link the obtained laboratory results to GIS and make a predictive distribution of the concentrations of this element. This study explores the concentration and spatial distribution of Tantalum (Ta), a rare earth element, in the soils of the Al-Muthanna province, using laboratory analyses and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The analysis involved assessing key soil properties, including electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and tantalum concentration, using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques. Tantalum concentrations ranged from a minimum of 10.08 ppm (sample sm2) to a maximum of 202.7 ppm (sample sw1), far exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit of 0.1–2 ppm. In the Samawah region, tantalum levels were highest at 157 ppm (sample sm9) and lowest at 10.08 ppm (sample sm2). In comparison, the Suwayr region exhibited the highest concentration of 202.7 ppm (sample sw1) and a minimum of 76.9 ppm (samples sw6 and sw8). These concentrations reflect both natural geological sources and anthropogenic inputs such as industrial emissions and fertilizers.