Analysis of soil characteristics of different land uses and metal bioaccumulation in wheat grown around rivers: possible human health risk assessment

Sandip Singh Bhatti (), Vasudha Sambyal, Jaswinder Singh and Avinash Kaur Nagpal ()
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Sandip Singh Bhatti: Guru Nanak Dev University
Vasudha Sambyal: Guru Nanak Dev University
Jaswinder Singh: Khalsa College, Amritsar
Avinash Kaur Nagpal: Guru Nanak Dev University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2017, vol. 19, issue 2, No 11, 588 pages

Abstract: Abstract The present study was conducted to determine the physico-chemical properties and heavy metal contents in soils under three land uses (agricultural, riverbank and roadside) from areas situated around rivers (Beas and Sutlej) in Punjab, India. Heavy metal contents in wheat samples (grain and fodder) growing in the area were also analyzed in order to find out potential human health risk through wheat consumption. The studied soils under the three land uses were found to be basic in nature with sandy texture, low soil organic matter and other soil nutrients. Comparatively higher amounts of soil nutrients were observed in soils under agricultural land use as compared to riverbank and roadside land uses. The amounts of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Co and Pb) analyzed in soils were lower than the various national and international maximum permissible limits, but heavy metal contents observed in wheat fodder samples exceeded the maximum permissible limits for fodder. The soil-to-plant metal bioaccumulation factor was found to be highest for Cu (3.812 for soil–wheat grain and 1.874 for soil–wheat fodder), which showed the bioaccumulation of heavy metals from soils to crops, and the wheat straw-to-grain translocation factor was found to be highest for Co (4.375). The hazard index calculated to assess non-carcinogenic health risks was found above 1 for children, meaning that the wheat grains can pose health risks to children.

Keywords: Health risk assessment; Heavy metals; Metal bioaccumulation factor; Physico-chemical properties of soil; Wheat grains (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-015-9746-7

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