Exploratory Multitechnique Characterization of Soil Contaminants in Underexplored Environments: Evidence from El-Bur in Somalia

Soil contamination in underexplored environments remains poorly characterized, particularly in regions where systematic monitoring is limited. El-Bur (Somalia) represents one such environment, where prolonged drought, humanitarian instability, limited accessibility, and inadequate waste management are expected to influence soil quality while hindering systematic environmental investigations. In this study, an exploratory multi-technique approach was applied to soil samples collected from selected sites in El-Bur (Somalia) to obtain chemical, structural, and morphological information. A combination of SEM–EDX, ICP-OES, XRD, and GC–MS was used to characterize both inorganic and organic fractions. The results show a predominant presence of sodium chloride, indicating severe soil salinity likely associated with prolonged drought and evaporative processes. In addition, trace organic compounds, including plastic-related species such as diethyl phthalate and styrene, together with short- to medium-chain hydrocarbons, were detected, suggesting localized anthropogenic contamination likely related to plastic waste and inadequate wastewater and waste management practices. This work provides a proof-of-concept analytical framework for identifying contamination features in soils affected by severe drought. The findings highlight the coexistence of natural and anthropogenic drivers of soil degradation and provide exploratory evidence for future targeted investigations in underexplored regions.