Dataset Information

Human health and ecological risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in agricultural soils of rural areas: A case study in Kurdistan Province, Iran.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Agricultural soils pollution with heavy metal (loid) s (HMs) can create significant ecological and health problems. The aims of present study were to characterize HMs pollution profile of dry farmland soils in rural areas of Kurdistan province in Iran and evaluate potential associated ecological and health risks.

Methods

Different indices of Geo-accumulation index (I_Geo), Individual contamination factor (ICF), Nemerow composite pollution index (NCPI) and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) were employed to assess the bio-accumulation of the HMs and evaluate associated ecological risks. Human health risks estimated with total hazard index (THI) and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) indices based on ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure pathways for children and adults.

Results

As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb exceeded the soil standards. The spatial maps of the I_Geo showed that As pollution was at severe level in eastern part of the study region. According to the ICF results, the studied soils were extremely contaminated with As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn. Furthermore, based on the pollution indices, some of sampling sites were critically polluted by abovementioned HMs. For children and adults groups, the THI values in 13 and 97% of sampling sites were more than 1 and the TCR in 7 and 14% of sampling sites were more than 10^-4, respectively. The farmland soil pollution of the study area by As and Cr were found to be quite serious and dangerous.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that further attention should be paid by decision-makers to control the HMs pollution in the agricultural soils of the study area.

SUBMITTER: Karimyan K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7721949 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundDayu County, a major tungsten producer in China, experiences severe heavy metal pollution. This study evaluated the pollution status, the accumulation characteristics in paddy rice, and the potential ecological risks of heavy metals in agricutural soils near tungsten mining areas of Dayu County. Furthermore, the impacts of soil properties on the accumulation of heavy metals in soil were explored.MethodsThe geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the contamination factor (CF), and the pollution load index (PLI) were used to evaluate the pollution status of metals (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Mo, W, and Zn) in soils. The ecological risk factor (RI) was used to assess the potential ecological risks of heavy metals in soil. The health risks and accumulation of heavy metals in paddy rice were evaluated using the health risk index and the translocation factor (TF), respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to discuss the influence of soil factors on heavy metal contents in soil.ResultsThe concentrations of metals exceeded the respective average background values for soils (As: 10.4, Cd: 0.10, Cu: 20.8, Cr: 48.0, Pb: 32.1, Mo: 0.30, W: 4.93, Zn: 69.0, mg/kg). The levels of As, Cd, Mo, and tungsten(W) exceeded the risk screening values for Chinese agricultural soil contamination and the Dutch standard. The mean concentrations of the eight tested heavy metals followed the order FJ-S > QL > FJ-N > HL > CJ-E > CJ-W, with a significant distribution throughout the Zhangjiang River basin. Heavy metals, especially Cd, were enriched in paddy rice. The Igeo and CF assessment indicated that the soil was moderately to heavily polluted by Mo, W and Cd, and the PLI assessment indicated the the sites of FJ-S and QL were extremely severely polluted due to the contribution of Cd, Mo and W. The RI results indicated that Cd posed the highest risk near tungsten mining areas. The non-carcinogenic and total carcinogenic risks were above the threshold values (non-carcinogenic risk by HQ > 1, carcinogenic risks by CR > 1 × 10-4 a-1) for As and Cd. Correlation analysis indicated that K2O, Na2O, and CaO are main factors affecting the accumulation and migration of heavy metals in soils and plants. Our findings reveal significant contamination of soils and crops with heavy metals, especially Cd, Mo, and W, near mining areas, highlighting serious health risks. This emphasizes the need for immediate remedial actions and the implementation of stringent environmental policies to safeguard health and the environment.