Evaluation of health risks and heavy metals toxicity in agricultural soils in Central Saudi Arabia
Evaluation of health risks and heavy metals toxicity in agricultural soils in Central Saudi Arabia
The present study is among the first to
assess the health and environmental risks of heavy metals
(HMs) in the soil of palm farms in the Al-Jilah area,
west of Riyadh. This was achieved by analyzing HM
concentrations in surface soil samples using Inductively
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The findings
revealed that metal concentrations followed a descending
order: (μg/g): Fe (14,528) > Mn (163.47) > Sr
(156.72) > Zn (30.11) > Cr (28.61) > Ni (20.58) > Cu
(11.44) > Co (6.44) > Pb (5.28). The highest concentrations
of Cu (42 μg/g), Pb (12 μg/g), and Sr (621 μg/g)
were recorded in farm-21, located in the central region
of the study area, which is characterized by intensive
agricultural activity. Both the geo-accumulation index
(Igeo) and the modified contamination degree (mCdeg)
indicated no contamination, with Igeo values ranging
from -3.00 to -1.86 and mCdeg value of 0.32. These
results were further supported by the toxicity risk index,
which showed very low toxic risks (0.18–1.38). Health
risk assessments, represented by chronic daily intake
and hazard index values, were conducted to evaluate
potential non-carcinogenic risks. The results indicated
that iron had the highest daily intake exposure, particularly
in children. However, all HI values remained
below 1, confirming health risks from soil exposure.
Similarly, the cancer risk and lifetime cancer risk values
were below the threshold of concern, indicating that
the soil does not pose a carcinogenic threat. These findings
suggest that the soil of palm farms in the Al-Jilah
area is safe, with no evidence of non-carcinogenic or
carcinogenic risks. However, continuous environmental
monitoring remains crucial to preserving soil quality,
given its significance for food security.
This study comprehensively evaluates heavy metal (HM) contamination and associated
health risks in 31 groundwater samples from Wadi Al-Hamd, northwest Saudi Arabia. Cd,
Pb, Zn, As, Cr, Cu,…
The present study is among the first to
assess the health and environmental risks of heavy metals
(HMs) in the soil of palm farms in the Al-Jilah area,
west of Riyadh. This was achieved…
Heavy metal contamination in soil is a global issue threatening human health and
ecosystems. Accurate spatial maps of heavy metals (HMs) are vital to mitigating the adverse
effects on the…