Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Heavy Metal Contamination in Agricultural and Protected Areas: A Case Study from Iași County, Romania

Camelia Elena Luchian, Iuliana Motrescu, Anamaria Ioana Dumitrașcu (), Elena Cristina Scutarașu, Irina Gabriela Cara, Lucia Cintia Colibaba, Valeriu V. Cotea and Gerard Jităreanu
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Camelia Elena Luchian: “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Iuliana Motrescu: “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Anamaria Ioana Dumitrașcu: “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Elena Cristina Scutarașu: “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Irina Gabriela Cara: “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Lucia Cintia Colibaba: “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Valeriu V. Cotea: “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Gerard Jităreanu: “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Soil contamination with heavy metals poses a significant risk to human health and ecological systems through multiple exposure pathways: direct ingestion of crops, dermal contact with polluted soil, and bioaccumulation within the food chain. This study analyses eleven composite soils, each collected in triplicate from different sites in Iași County, four of which are designated Natura 2000 protected areas (Mârzești Forest, Plopi Lake—Belcești, Moldova Delta, and Valea lui David). The assessment includes measurements of soil humidity by the gravimetric method, pH, and organic matter content, examined in relation to heavy metal concentrations due to their well-established interdependencies. For heavy metal determination, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) using an EDAX system (AMETEK Inc., Berwyn, PA, USA) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) with a Vanta 4 analyser (Olympus, Waltham, MA, USA) were employed. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a Quanta 450 microscope (FEI, Thermo Scientific, Hillsboro, OR, USA) was used primarily for informational purposes and to provide a broader perspective. In the case of chromium, 45.45% of the samples exceeded the permissible levels, with concentrations ranging from 106 mg/kg to 186 mg/kg, the highest value being nearly twice the alert threshold. Notably, not all protected areas maintain contaminant levels within safe limits. The sample from the Mârzești Forest protected site revealed considerably raised concentrations of mercury, arsenic, and lead, exceeding the alert thresholds (1 mg/kg—mercury, 15 mg/kg—arsenic, and 50 mg/kg—lead) established through Order no. 756/1997 issued by the Minister of Water, Forests, and Environmental Protection from Romania. On the other hand, the sample from Podu Iloaiei, an area with intensive agricultural activity, shows contamination with mercury and cadmium, highlighting significant anthropogenic pollution. The findings of this study are expected to raise public awareness regarding soil pollution levels, particularly in densely populated regions and protected ecological zones. Moreover, the results provide a scientific basis for policymakers and relevant authorities to implement targeted measures to manage soil contamination and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

Keywords: heavy metals; health risks; acidic forest soil; physicochemical characterisation of soils (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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