Heavy Metal(loid)s Pollution of Agricultural Soils and Health Risk Assessment of Consuming Soybean and Wheat in a Typical Non-Ferrous Metal Mine Area in Northeast China

Abstract

During mining, some of the essential metal(loid)s for plants or humans are discharged into the environment with non-essential metal(loid)s. Thus, comprehensive investigations of their distribution and the health risk of consuming food crops near mines are significant. A total of 26 soils and 25 food crops (soybean grains and wheat grains) were sampled to investigate arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and manganese (Mn) in soils and crops in a typical non-ferrous metal mine area in Northeast China. The distribution patterns of soil heavy metal(loid)s and principal component analysis (PCA) results indicated that Cd, Cu, Zn, Mo, and Mn in soils were significantly affected by mining activities and were mainly or partly derived from the mines. Moreover, these soil heavy metal(loid)s (except Se) in the Tongshan copper mine area were attenuated with distance in the downstream direction. The BCF (bioconcentration factor) values of non-essential elements (Se, Hg, Cr, As, Cd, Pb) were relatively lower and positively related to soil nutrients. On the contrary, higher BCF values of essential elements (Cu, Zn, and Mo) and a weak relationship between the BCF of essential elements and soil nutrients were found. The mean Igeo values of soil heavy metal(loid)s indicated that As and Cu were at an unpolluted-to-moderately-polluted level (Igeo > 1), while other heavy metal(loid)s all presented an unpolluted level (Igeo < 1). Nevertheless, some soil samples were obviously polluted (Igeo > 1), such as KQ, D1, D3, D5, D6, and T1. The HQ (hazard quotient) and HI (hazard index) values of As and Mn both exceeded 1, indicating the higher potential health risks of consuming soybean grains and wheat grains for all people groups.

Heavy Metals and Health Risk Burden, How Safe is the Consumer Population?: A Study on the Heavy Metal Content of Soybeans Cultivated in Katsina State, North West Nigeria

“…The result is similar to the results reported for market sold beans from Katsina, Nigeria [36]. But the concentrations are lower to values reported in a study in eastern Nigeria [33] and that recorded by Zahir et al [41] in a study conducted in Pakistan and the results for the study conducted by Li et al [29].…”

“…The recorded Pb concentrations in the study were low when compared to the reported Pb concentration range for soybeans samples from Iran [28] and the reported concentrations for soybean samples from Northeast China [29]. These values are also lower than the WHO safe limit for Pb in Cereals reported in literature [30].…”

Agricultural Structures Management Based on Nonpoint Source Pollution Control in Typical Fuel Ethanol Raw Material Planting Area

“…It makes the dry season from November to March the next year. Another period of the year is the mean flow season [21]. This study divided cultivated land into crop levels to provide a scientific basis and more detailed management suggestions for local agricultural land planning and soil management.…”

“…It makes the dry season from November to March the next year. Another period of the year is the mean flow season [21]. The mainland use of the Hulan River Basin was cultivated land.…”

Synergistic Reduction of Arsenic Uptake and Alleviation of Leaf Arsenic Toxicity in Maize (Zea mays L.) by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Exogenous Iron through Antioxidant Activity

“…Arsenic in soil can accumulate in crops and migrate into lake water and groundwater, affecting crop yield and also causing serious harm to human health and local ecosystems [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. When crops absorb excessive amounts of arsenic from the soil, they are subject to arsenic toxicity, which can manifest as inhibited root growth, stunted plant growth and development, and even death, resulting in decreased crop yield and affecting food security [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Physiologically, the toxicity of arsenic leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in plant cells [ 10 ].…”