Appraisal of Potential Metal Risk in Calcareous Agricultural Soils: an Insight into Human and Environmental Health Employing Multimodal Tactics

Abstract

Faulty irrigation practices and industrial activities lead to the pollution of metals in agricultural soil, resulting in adverse effects on human health. The present study was conducted for the assessment of source identification, probabilistic health hazard assessments, and analysis of dietary risks associated with metals pollution in the calcareous soil of India. The mean content of total and bioavailable forms of metals (Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, Cu) surpassed the permissible limits in sample areas Baruraj (zone 1) and Kanti (zone 2), with zone 1 showing higher level of pollution compared to zone 2. The free ion activity model (FIAM) was employed to detect metals in polluted soil and assess their potential transfer to rice grains. Hazard quotient values were notably higher than the safe threshold (FIAM-HQ < 0.5) for Cr (2.87E-01), Ni (1.08E-01), and Pb (1.88E-01), except for Cd (1.49E-02) and Cu (1.27E-03), which remained within safe limits. Severity adjustment margin of exposure (SAMOE)-Risk thermometer indicates high and moderate human health risk for Cr (Cr_SAMOE = 0.006) and Ni (Ni_SAMOE = 0.03), respectively. Self-organizing map (SOM) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) identify pollution sources in the calcareous region. Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) unveiled that children were more vulnerable to total carcinogenic risk (TCR) compared to adults through the ingestion pathway. A geostatistical approach was employed to predict the spatial distribution patterns of various metals across the area. This comprehensive evaluation, utilizing appropriate and reasonable methods, serves as a valuable resource for environmental scientists and policymakers aiming to manage and mitigate metal pollution in agricultural soils near residential areas.