scholarly journals Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Soils in the Golden Triangle of Southern Fujian Province, China

Author(s):  
Sha Huang ◽  
Guofan Shao ◽  
Luyan Wang ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
Lina Tang

In recent years, intensified industrialization and rapid urbanization have accelerated the accumulation of trace metals in topsoils of the Golden Triangle of Southern Fujian Province in China. Trace metals can cause adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health. In order to assess the ecological and human health risks of trace metals in the Golden Triangle region and to determine the distribution and degree of pollution of trace metals, 456 soil samples were collected from 28 districts. The concentrations of six metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed to assess ecological risk using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and the potential ecological risk index (RI). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) model was applied to calculate health risk. The average soil concentrations of the six elements are ranked as follows: As < Ni < Cu < Cr < Pb < Zn. Inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation maps showed that Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn are enriched in the soils of developed areas, while As and Pb are enriched in the soils of undeveloped areas. The Igeo showed that the levels of metals in most soil samples are below polluting levels. Similarly, RI values indicated that trace metals pose low potential ecological risk in the region’s soils. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) ranked the mean total noncarcinogenic risk of the six metals, for both children and adults, as follows: As > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cu >Zn. The mean carcinogenic risk (CR) of the metals in the region’s soils are ranked as follows: Cr > As > Ni. The Hazard Index (HI) values indicated that 3.7% of soils contained unsafe levels of toxic metals for children and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) values indicated that 23.3% of soils contained unsafe levels, indicating that children are facing both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from trace metals. Principal component analysis (PCA) and matrix cluster analysis were used to identify pollution sources and classified trace metals and soil samples into two and five groups, respectively. The five groups represented the effects of different land use types, including agricultural area, residential and public area, industrial area, forest, and industrial area and roadside, based on the contents of trace metals in soils. Industrial, agricultural and traffic activities attribute to the enrichment of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the region’s soils. Moreover, the accumulation of As and Pb are also attributed to atmospheric deposition. These results can contribute to a better understanding of pollution, ecological risks, and human health risks from trace metals on large regional scales like the Golden Triangle of Southern Fujian Province.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 4828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Wang ◽  
Jichang Han ◽  
Yang Wei ◽  
Gang Li ◽  
Yingying Sun

Xunyang is rich in various metal minerals and is one of the four major metal mining areas in Shaanxi province, China. To explore the effects of soil heavy metals and metalloid pollution on the environment and human health around the mining areas, four places—Donghecun (D), Gongguan (G), Qingtonggou (Q) and Nanshagou (N)—were selected as the sampling sites. Potential ecological risk (PER) and health risk assessment (HRA) models were used to analyze the environmental and health risks around the mining areas. The concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Hg) and metalloid (As) in cultivated land in the vicinity of Xunyang mining areas indicated that, except for Cu, the remaining elements detected exceeded the threshold values at some sites. The geo-accumulation index (IGeo) revealed that soils in G and Q could be identified as being extremely contaminated. PER indicated that there was significantly high risk at G and Q for Hg. In N, Pb recorded the highest E r i , which also demonstrates a considerable pre-existing risk. HRA indicated that the hazard index (HI) for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks was much higher among children than among adults, and the ingestion pathway contributed the greatest risk to human health, followed by the dermal pathway and inhalation. Because the HI values of the metals and metalloid in the study areas were all lower than 1, there was no significant non-carcinogenic risk. However, the carcinogenic risk for Cr is relatively higher, surpassing the tolerable values in G, Q, and N. This study analyzed the ecological risks and human health risks of heavy metals and metalloid in farmland soils near the sampling mining areas, and demonstrated the importance of environmental changes caused by land development in the mining industry.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1976-1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emrah Caylak

Lifetime exposure to trace metals, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trihalomethanes (THMs), and the other chemicals in drinking water through ingestion, and dermal contact may pose risks to human health. In this study, drinking water samples were collected from 50 sampling sites from Cankiri and its towns during 2010. The concentrations of all pollutants were analyzed, and then compared with permissible limits set by Turkish and WHO. For health risk assessment of trace metals, chronic daily intakes (CDIs) via ingestion and dermal contact, hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI) were calculated by using statistical formulas. For ingestion pathway, the maximum HQ values of As-non cancer in central Cankiri and Kursunlu town were higher than one. Considering dermal adsorption pathway, the mean and maximum HQ values were below one. HI values of As-non cancer in central Cankiri and Kursunlu town were also higher than one. Each trace metal (As-non cancer, B, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Sb) of the mean HI values were slightly below unity. Risks of As, PAHs, THMs, and benzene on human health were then evaluated using carcinogenic risk (CR). It is indicated that CRs of As and THMs were also found >10−5in drinking water of Cankiri might exert potential carcinogenic risk for people. These assessments would point out required drinking water treatment strategy to ensure safety of consumers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirin Akter ◽  
Mohammad Obidur Rahman ◽  
Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Saiful Islam Tushar ◽  
Mottalib Hossain Sarkar ◽  
...  

Abstract The mean concentrations of heavy metals viz: K, Ca, Mg, Ti, Fe, Co, Cu, As, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Pb and Th were measured in soil samples using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique and sampling sites as a whole were found highly contaminated by Zn, considerably contaminated by Mg and Pb, while moderately contaminated by Fe, Co, Cu, Rb, Sr, As, Rb, Y, Th. The sampling sites are moderate to strongly polluted by heavy metals according to Enrichment factors value, whereas, Pollution Load Index values for 95% of the sample sites were ≥ 1.5, indicating deterioration of soil quality. Potential Ecological risk (RI) value followed the increasing sequence of Pb > As > Co > Zn > Cu. Non-carcinogenic exposure found higher in children compared to adults,however carcinogenic risk assessment revealed that both groups (adult and children) lied within Grade II category (10− 5 to 10− 6) and considered to be at no risk.


Author(s):  
Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska

The presence of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in popularly consumed fruits in Poland was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Sb, Tl, and Zn contents were investigated in 21 fruit species grouped as berry, pome, stone, and shell fruits. The PHE contents belonged to the following ranges (mg/kg wet weight): Cd < limit of detection (LOD)–0.116, Co < LOD–0.062, Cu < LOD–15.5, Ni < LOD–2.23, Pb < LOD–2.07, Sb < LOD–0.240, Tl < LOD–0.110, and Zn 0.37–37.7. Their concentrations exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) set by European Union regulation for Pb only. Bioconcentration coefficient (BC) values, calculated in accordance to the PHE contents in exchangeable and acid soluble forms in soil after first step of the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure, revealed that berry fruits had potential for accumulation of Cu, Ni, Sb, and Tl; stone fruits—Cu, Sb, and Tl; pome fruits—Cu, Ni, and Sb, and shell fruit (walnut)—Cu. Human health risk assessment associated with the intake of PHEs in fruits was evaluated in terms of daily intake rates (DIR), and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk by cancer risk (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ), respectively. For Pb margin of exposure (MOE) approach was used for health risk evaluation. Daily intake rates for all PHEs were below the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) values. The mean total non-carcinogenic risk values were the following: berry fruits HQ = 0.47, pome fruits HQ = 0.36, stone fruits HQ = 0.42, and shell fruits (walnut) HQ = 0.22, indicating no health hazards. The carcinogenic risk for As in walnut only under an adult intake scenario (CR = 1.98 × 10−6) was found to be above the acceptable risk level. The mean Pb health risk, according to Polish statistical intake rates, was acceptable low as the MOE value was equal to 15.7 for adults. In reference to the intake rates recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), MOE values for Pb indicated acceptable low risk both for adults (MOE = 14.0) and children (MOE = 1.64). In general, the finding of this research revealed no health risk arising from PHE consumption with fruits for the population of Poland.


Author(s):  
Fangting Wang ◽  
Changsheng Huang ◽  
Zhihua Chen ◽  
Ke Bao

Background: Cadmium (Cd) pollution poses a threat to human health. Examination of the spatial distribution of Cd in soils can be used to assess the risks posed to humans and the environment. Objective: This study determined the enrichment rules and factors influencing Cd pollution in Nansha, and evaluated the pollution characteristics and bioavailability of Cd in quaternary sediments through 7 deep soil profiles (0–200 cm), 4 boreholes, and 348 topsoil (0–20 cm) samples. Methods: The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and the potential ecological risk index (Er) were used to assess ecological risk, and bioavailability was determined using multivariate, spatial distribution, and correlation matrix analyses. Results: From the Er, 52% of Nansha was classed as being at very high risk of Cd pollution; a further 36% was classed as dangerous. Cadmium was more abundant in clay soils than in sandy soils. Bioavailable Cd in quaternary sediments was significantly affected by the total Cd, and labile Cd accounted for more than half of the total Cd. Changes in pH mainly affected bioavailable Cd rather than total Cd, affecting the overall bioavailability of Cd. Conclusions: Nansha soils are commonly and seriously contaminated with Cd. An appropriate remediation treatment approach should be used to reduce Cd bioavailability. Furthermore, planting structures in farmland should be adjusted to avoid the impact of heavy metals on human health.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-144
Author(s):  
Mohamed Nouri ◽  
Taoufik El Rasafi ◽  
Abdelmajid Haddioui

Abstract The concentrations of metals were determined in soil samples collected in Ait Ammar (Oued Zem, Morocco). The mean Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn contents in the mining topsoil samples were: 2.12, 135, 34.9, 214, 9.13 and 90.8 mg kg−1, respectively. Human health risks developed from metal ingestion, dermal absorption and inhalation of soils were also evaluated. For non-carcinogenic risks, united hazard index (HI) values for children surpassed the safe level (HI=1) for Cr (13.1). Values for HI in adults (1.74) also surpassed the safe level for Cr. The HI values for Pb and Cd for children were 0.69 and 0.68, respectively. Cancer risk due to Cr surpassed the tolerable range (1E-06 to1E-04) for children (1.05E-03) and for adults (1.42E-04). Cancer risks due to Pb and Cd were within acceptable ranges for both children and adults. Furthermore, oral ingestion of soil particles contributed more highly to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk from Cr than either dermal absorption or inhalation in both children and adults.


Author(s):  
L. Salami ◽  
J. G. Akinbomi ◽  
R. J. Patinvoh

Soil contaminated with heavy metals poses an ecological risk especially to public health. The aim of this work is to assess the ecological risk of heavy metals in soil of Lagos State University (LASU), Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from 8 different points in LASU which were stored in various polythene bags labeled SS1 – SS8. A control sample was taken 1 km away from LASU and was labeled SC9. All the sampling locations were identified using handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) for the purpose of universal identification. The soil samples were analysed for nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and Iron (Fe) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Enrichment factor (EF), potential ecological risk (Ei) and ecological risk index (RI) were carried out using the data from the analysis. The results revealed that all the EF values were less than 2 except that of lead in SS1. The Ei values were less than 40 except that of lead in SS1. Moreover RI values of all the soil samples investigated were less than 150. It was obvious from this work that the soil of LASU, Epe, Lagos State, were not enriched with heavy metals and have a low potential ecological risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 868-875
Author(s):  
Aweez & et al.

The aim of this study was to application of some single and integrated index equation to assess heavy metal in different soil within Erbil governorate. The 15 different locations (Bahare new, Newroz, New Hawler, Hesarok, Azadi1, Zen city, Atconz city, Pank village, Binaslawa, Darato, Qushtapa, Shaways, Kasnazan, Bahirka, Pirzin) were specifically selected to identify the effects of traffic activities on soil properties. Different heavy metal distribution patterns (As, Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn) were determined from distance 5, 25, 50m roadside. Soil pollution was assessed using many indices including: contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cdeg), Ecological Risk Factor and Potential Ecological Risk Index.The results showed that concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn in street dust ranged from (4.60, 1.80, 217.83, 62.14 and 215.18) mg.kg-1 which recorded in Qushtapa, Kasnazan, Atconze city, Hasarok5 and Zen city respectively. The contamination factor  and degree of contamination of  the trace elements As, Cd, Cr, Cu ,and Zn of soil samples was indicating considerable contamination factor for Qushtapa moderate contamination factor for Kasnazan, while Atconze city, Hasarok5, Zen city showed very high contamination factor, while degree of contamination considerable low degree of contamination. According to the ecological risk factor and RI results Qwshtapa was indicate as low potential ecological risk, Kasnazan had moderate potential ecological risk while Hasarok5 and Zen city considerable high potential ecological risk, except Atconze considerable very high ecological risk, on the other hand for RI index shown considerable very high ecological risk recorded in Hasarok 5 soil samples.


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.


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