Incidence of Heavy Metals in the Application of Fertilizers to Crops (Wheat and Rice), a Fish (Common carp) Pond and a Human Health Risk Assessment

Saira Naz, Francesco Fazio, Syed Sikandar Habib (), Ghazala Nawaz, Sobia Attaullah, Mujeeb Ullah, Adil Hayat and Imtiaz Ahmed
Additional contact information
Saira Naz: Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore Sargodha Campus, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
Francesco Fazio: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
Syed Sikandar Habib: Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
Ghazala Nawaz: Department of Botany, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat 26000, Pakistan
Sobia Attaullah: Department of Zoology, Islamia College University, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
Mujeeb Ullah: Department of Zoology, Islamia College University, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
Adil Hayat: Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
Imtiaz Ahmed: Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar 190006, India

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-15

Abstract: Though manure has been used for centuries to enhance soil fertility and final agricultural yield, the overuse of fertilizers on the land can cause serious pollution issues, such as heavy metals and eutrophication, that can further lead to health problems. The current study aimed to assess the heavy metals in the most consumed crops (wheat and rice) and fish (common carp) and their risk to human health. Results revealed that there was an irregular trend of heavy metals in different sites of the study area; however, the general trend that was observed during the current research work was Pb>Cr>Cd>Mn in soil samples and crops, while in the case of fish muscle, the trend was Cr>Pb>Cd>Mn. Furthermore, after health index analysis, it was revealed that in some of the sites, the hazard index (HI) was above 1. Principal component analysis suggests a strong positive correlation of the heavy metals from the soil and water to the crops and fish muscles, respectively. Cd was highly bioaccumulated in the crops and fish muscles from different sites. There was an unusual increase in the metal concentration in the samples from the Sargodha. This result suggests a rapid increase in the metal concentration within the agricultural land and its products that can put human health at risk of developing multiple diseases related to the heavy metals, as indicated by the HI values. It is highly recommended that fertilizers should be used carefully so that human populations and animals can safely consume heavy-metal-free food.

Keywords: heavy metals; fertilizers; Cyprinus carpio; Triticum aestivum; Oryza sativa; risk assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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