scholarly journals Ecological and Health Risk Studies of Heavy Metals in Soils around an Abandoned Battery Factory in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

Author(s):  
Romanus A. Obasi ◽  
Henry Y. Madukwe

Heavy metals on the soil around an abandoned battery site at Wofun, Ibadan, Southwestern, Nigeria were studied for their ecological and health risks. Ten soil samples collected from the soil around the abandoned battery sites were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma –Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The data were evaluated using indices such as contamination factor, enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index and pollution index to determine the ecological and health risks posed by the heavy metals. The results showed an average concentration of Pb (7274.4), V (190.63), Cu (77.52), Zn (53.08) and Co (53) in a decreasing order. The enrichment factor revealed high enrichment for Co (12.30) at site one (S1), and extreme enrichment of Pb (61.12). Zn, Rb and Mo showed no enrichment in the soil. All the sites exhibited extremely high enrichment of Pb except at S10 where the enrichment of Pb was only severe. The results of Igeo indicated that all the sites were strongly to extremely polluted by Pb while S6 is moderately polluted by Co. The rest of the metals do not constitute any pollution threats. An evaluation of the ecological risk index (RI) revealed that the mean Er for Co (13.95), Cu (8.61), and Zn (0.56) indicate low ecological risk as they are less than 40 (Er <40).  Lead (Pb) with Er value of 1818.60 has a very high ecological risk and accounts for most of the ecological risks in the study area. Lead (Pb) being the most toxic and abundant of all the heavy metals analyzed in the study areas was used to evaluate the potential  non-carcinogenic health risk for both children and adults. The hazard index which is the sum of the hazard quotients for children is 26.64 suggesting that non-carcinogenic health risk may occur if there is any form of exposure to the soil. The hazard index for the adult (2.87) indicated a significant potential non-carcinogenic health risk in the study area.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 7078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Marina Cabral-Pinto ◽  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Munesh Kumar ◽  
Pedro A. Dinis

In the modern era, due to the rapid increase in urbanization and industrialization in the vicinity of the Himalayas, heavy metals contamination in soil has become a key priority for researchers working globally; however, evaluation of the human and ecological risks mainly in hilly areas remains limited. In this study, we analyzed indices like the contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (DC), enrichment factor (EF), geochemical index (Igeo), pollution ecological risk index (PERI), and pollution load index (PLI), along with cancer risk (CR) and hazard indices (HI), to ascertain the eco-environmental and human risks of using heavy metals in datasets collected from 168 sampling locations in Uttarakhand, India. The evaluation calculated of Igeo, EF, and CF suggests that represented soil samples were moderately contaminated and highly augmented with Rb, while PERI (75.56) advocates a low ecological risk. Further, PLI and DC (PLI: 1.26; DC: 36.66) show a possible health risk for the native population in the vicinity of the studied catchment. The hazard index (HI) is estimated greater than 1 (HI > 1) for Cr and Mn, representing a possible risk for cancer. However, adults are free from cancer risk, and other studied elements have been reported as noncarcinogenic. This assessment gives important information to policymakers, environmentalists, and foresters for taking mitigation measures in advance to mitigate the potential future risk of soil pollution on humans, ecology, and the environment.


Author(s):  
Serkan Kürker

In this study, ecological risks arising from the accumulation of some heavy metals in surface sediments of Lake Tortum are discussed based on the use of ecological indices, such as enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PER) and the mean probable effect concentration quotient (mPEC-Q). Sediment samples were collected from six different sites using Van Veen grab and heavy metal and organic carbon content of sediments were determined. Results testify to the existence of minimal to moderate contamination in lake sediment. The highest value for the enrichment factor pertains to Cd caused by the use of fossil fuels in settlement areas in the lake catchment. PLI and PER estimations, on the other hand, reveals the presence of low heavy metals-induced ecological risk in lake sediments. Ranging between 15% and 29%, mPEC-Q values are indicative of the fact that Lake Tortum is a low-moderate priority site in terms of toxicity level caused by heavy metals.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan Ahamad ◽  
Jinxi Song ◽  
Haotian Sun ◽  
Xinxin Wang ◽  
Muhammad Sajid Mehmood ◽  
...  

The sediment pollution caused by different metals has attracted a great deal of attention because of the toxicity, persistence, and bio-accumulation. This study focuses on heavy metals in the hyporheic sediment of the Weihe River, China. Contamination levels of metals were examined by using “geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, and contamination factor” while ecological risk of metals were determined by “potential ecological risk and risk index”. The pollutant accumulation of metals ranked as follows: “manganese (Mn)   >   chromium (Cr)   >   zinc (Zn)   > copper (Cu)   >   nickel (Ni)   >   arsenic (As)   >   lead (Pb)”. The geo-accumulation index identified arsenic as class 1 (uncontaminated to moderate contamination), whereas Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Mn were classified as class 0 (uncontaminated). According to the enrichment factor, arsenic originated through anthropogenic activities and Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb were mainly controlled by natural sources. The contamination factor elucidated that sediments were moderately polluted by (As, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Pb), whereas Ni slightly contaminated the sediments of the Weihe River. All metals posed a low ecological risk in the study area. The risk index revealed that contribution of arsenic (53.43 %) was higher than half of the total risk.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeasmin Nahar Jolly ◽  
Atahar Rabby ◽  
Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Khan Mohammad Mamun ◽  
Shirin Akter ◽  
...  

Abstract Present study sketched to quantify heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As) in sediment samples (Dry and Rainy season) of an industrially affected river namely Shitalakshya by Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. Different geochemical indices and multivariate statistical analysis were applied to define the accumulation, source and level of metal pollution in the sediment samples and probabilistic health risk implications due to dermal contact of sediment was also evaluated. Study revealed mean heavy metal (HM) concentrations in a sequence of Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > As > Cd for both the seasons and almost all the elements were found within the suggestive standard value by various agencies with an exception of Cd and As. Enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI) indicated a high level of contamination by HM and a moderate level of Ecological risk was assessed for both the season. Hazard Index (HI), known as non-carcinogenic health risk for all the elements studied found bellow 1, indicating no harm for health and total carcinogenic risk also revealed the safe range. Results of multivariate statistical analysis indicates, the possible sources are mostly anthropogenic which may be owing to discharge of untreated wastes from various industries, metal and waste dumping sites, oil and refinery industries, glass and ceramic industries as they are located closely to the sampling sites of the Shitalakshya river.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 891
Author(s):  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Guilin Han ◽  
Xingliang Xu

Human agricultural activities have resulted in widespread land degradation and soil contamination in the karst areas. However, the effects of reforestation after agricultural abandonment on the mobility risks and contamination of heavy metals have been rarely reported. In the present study, six soil profiles were selected from cropland and abandoned cropland with reforestation in the Puding karst regions of Southwest China. The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction method was used to evaluate the compositions of different chemical fractions of soil heavy metals, including Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cd. The total contents of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Mn in the croplands were significantly higher than those in the abandoned croplands. For all soils, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Fe were mainly concentrated in the residual fractions (>85%), whereas Mn and Cd were mostly observed in the non-residual fractions (>65%). The non-residual fractions of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn in the croplands were higher than those in the abandoned croplands. These results indicated that the content and mobility of soil heavy metals decreased after reforestation. The individual contamination factor (ICF) and risk assessment code (RAC) showed that Cd contributed to considerable contamination of karst soils. The global contamination factor (GCF) and potential ecological risk index (RI) suggested low contamination and ecological risk of the investigated heavy metals in the croplands, moreover they can be further reduced after reforestation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2E) ◽  
pp. 36-61
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Obeidi

Soil pollution adversely affects the safety and health of the human being. The main objective of the study is to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) in surface soil in Al-Hawija, southwestern Kirkuk. Twenty-one samples were collected and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the content of heavy metals and assess the soil pollution by using the contamination factor, degree of contamination, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index and ecological risk index (RI). The results indicate that there is high pollution by lead, chromium and copper (78.8, 87.4 and 53.8 mg/kg) respectively, in industrial areas due to anthropogenic sources with the presence of significant ecological risk (Er) of the lead (116) in site S7, due to its high concentrations, while size fraction analysis indicated that all heavy metals are concentrated in the fine parts as a result of adsorption processes by clay minerals.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Y. Lim ◽  
N. A. Zakaria ◽  
K. Y. Foo

Abstract The present work is aimed at assessing the aftermath effects of the 2014 flood tragedy on the distribution, pollution status and ecological risks of the heavy metals deposited in the surface river sediment. A series of environmental pollution indexes, specifically the enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have been adopted. Results revealed that the freshly deposited sediments collected soon after the flood event were dominated by Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cd, with the average concentrations of 38.74, 16,892, 17.71, 4.65, 29.22, 42.36 and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. According to the heavy metal pollution indexes, Pahang River sediments were moderately to severely contaminated with Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr, while Cd with the highest risk of 91.09 was the predominant element that illustrated an aesthetic ecological risk to the water body after the tragic flood event. The findings highlighted a critical deterioration of the heavy metals content, driven by the catastrophic flood event, which has drastically altered their geochemical cycles, sedimentary pollution status and biochemical balance of the river's environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Temitope Ayodeji Laniyan ◽  
Adeniyi JohnPaul Adewumi

Background. Exposure to heavy metals emanating from cement production and other anthropogenic activities can pose ecological risks. Objectives. A detailed investigation was carried out to assess the contamination and ecological risk of heavy metals associated with dust released during cement production. Methods. Sixty samples, including 30 soils and 30 plants, were collected around Lafarge Cement Production Company. Control samples of soil and plants were collected in areas where human activities are limited. Samples were dried, sieved (for soil; 65 μm), packaged and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at Acme Laboratory in Canada. Results. The average concentration of heavy metals in soils of the area are: copper (Cu): 41.63 mg/kg; lead (Pb): 35.43 mg/kg; zinc (Zn): 213.64 mg/kg; chromium (Cr): 35.60 mg/kg; cobalt (Co): 3.84 mg/kg and nickel (Ni): 5.13 mg/kg. Concentrations of Cr in soils were above the recommended standards, while other metals were below recommended limits. The average concentrations of heavy metals in plants were: Cu: 26.32 mg/kg; Pb: 15.46 mg/kg; Zn: 213.94 mg/kg; Cr: 30.62 mg/kg; Co: 0.45 mg/kg and Ni: 3.77 mg/kg. Levels of heavy metals in plants were all above international limits. Geo-accumulation of metals in soils ranged between −0.15 and 6.32, while the contamination factor ranged between 0.53 and 119.59. Ecological risk index of heavy metals in soils ranged between 49.71 and 749. Discussion. All metals in soils of the study area except for Cr were below the allowable limits, while the levels of metals in plants were above the permissible limits. Levels of heavy metals reported in this study were higher than those from similar cement production areas. Soils around the Ewekoro cement production area were low to extremely contaminated by toxic metals. Cement production, processing, transportation in conjunction with the abandoned railway track in the area greatly contribute to the high degree of contamination observed in the area. Metal transfers from soil to plant are a common phenomenon. The metals pose low to considerable ecological risk. Conclusions. Anthropogenic sources, especially cement processing activities, release heavy metals which leads to progressive pollution of the environment and poses high ecological risk. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram Proshad ◽  
Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Tapos Kormoker

This study was conducted to assess the ecological risk of heavy metals in soils collected from the industrial vicinity of Tangail district in Bangladesh. In this study, the levels of six heavy metals namely chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in 15 sampling sites around the industrial vicinity of Tangail district in Bangladesh were assessed. The mean concentration of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd and Pb in studied soils were 11.56, 23.92, 37.27, 6.11, 2.01, and 17.46 mg/kg, respectively. Certain indices, including the enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (Cif), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), toxic unit analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to assess the ecological risk. The enrichment factor of all the studied metals for all sampling sites were in the descending order of Cd > Cu > As > Pb >Ni > Cr. The contamination factor values revealed that the studied soils were highly impacted by Cd. The pollution load index (PLI) values of Cd were higher than 1, indicating the progressive deterioration of soil due to Cd contamination. In the context of potential ecological risk (PER), soils from all sampling sites showed moderate to very high potential ecological risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Farhad Howladar ◽  
Md. Numan Hossain ◽  
Khaleda Akter Anju ◽  
Debjani Das

AbstractThe study aims to assess the trace metals and physicochemical properties of water in the adjacent to the Sylhet gas blowout area. Trace metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, whereas physicochemical parameters were evaluated in-situ state using portable instruments and also in the laboratory. Trace metals Pb, Cd, and Ni were found in the water samples higher than the acceptable limit by WHO standards, whereas the concentration of Cu and Zn were within acceptable limit, respectively. The correlation coefficient matrix and factor loading analysis spectacle that the interrelationship among the physicochemical parameters, trace elements, as well as other ions are moderate to strongly corellated which reflecting the homogeneous source of origin. According to contamination factor, Nemerow multi-factor index, pollution load index, and also, potential ecological risk index, the water of the region is quite polluted in case of Pb, Cd, and Ni but unpolluted for Cu and Zn. The water quality index indicates that treatment of water is required before using it for domestic purposes. The health quotient and hazard index results are less than standard value 1 suggesting that there is no noncarcinogenic risk in the area. The carcinogenic analysis shows that the lifetime incremental cancer risk mean value of Cd and Ni are fairly insignificant and Pb is more significant for children to cause health problem. The ILCR value of Cd and Ni are insignificant whereas Pb is significant to pose health risk for adults. Physicochemical parameters revealed that the water was slightly acidic and soft in nature implying to avoid the water from this area for drinking purposes. At the end, it can be concluded that this study will be useful for the residence as well as the policymaker to take the protective surveillance measures around the areas.


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