Environmental Geochemistry and Health最新文献

Soil contamination caused by human activities is a global concern impacting food security and the practice of sustainable agriculture, in alignment with the UN's sustainable development goals. Therefore, it is vital to map potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils quickly and without causing pollution to outline actions for mitigating their negative environmental impact. In this sense, magnetic susceptibility (MS) emerges as a promising indirect technique for predicting PTE concentrations, as it is closely linked to key pedoindicator attributes such as soil mineralogy, iron oxide content, particle-size distribution, and the accumulation of ferrimagnetic particles derived from both natural and anthropogenic processes. These relationships allow MS to reflect changes in soil properties that are often associated with the presence and spatial variability of potentially toxic elements. This study aimed to estimate PTEs in soils using MS measurements, assess PTE contents in soils under sugarcane cultivation, and understand the anthropic influence on their presence in the studied soils. Soil samples were collected in a transition area of soils originating from basalt, Botucatu sandstone, and colluvium-eluvium deposits. Particle size, chemical, and mineralogical analyses and MS measurements were conducted. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and pedotransfer functions were used to estimate PTEs using MS. PTE prediction models were satisfactorily calibrated using MS and clay for the elements Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb (R² > 0.59). PTEs showed spatial dependence and were positively correlated with iron oxides and SM. The metals Co, Cu, and Ni presented contents above the quality reference values in basalt soils, including in the analyzed points in the native forest under basalt. The presence of PTEs in soils is strongly related to their concentrations in the parent material.

Globally, research on purposeful ingestion of soil or geophagy has been receiving scholarly attention, that are documented from different animal taxa, including human beings, with multifaceted factors linked to the soil consumption instinct. However, a critical systematic study of the extant literature is lacking amidst the growth of research on geophagy, thereby limiting a clear understanding of the prevailing trends in this field. In response to this gap, we conducted a bibliometric review supplemented with a structured thematic synthesis to analyse scholarly publications on geophagy indexed in the Scopus database till June 2025. The findings revealed an increasing trend in publications 2010 onwards, which is led mostly by institutions and researchers affiliated with different organizations from developed nations. The thematic analyses revealed geophagy across animal taxa representing a multifactorial behavior driven by mineral supplementation, detoxification of secondary plant metabolites, and gastrointestinal regulation. In humans, particularly pregnant women and children, this practice exhibits dual roles of adaptive and pathological factors, linking micronutrient needs associated with risks of toxic metal exposure and parasitic infections. Another broad representation reveals that geophagy hotspots are shaped by unique geochemical interactions, with soils rich in clays and rare earth elements offering detoxification benefits. This multi-factorial behavior, shaped by geology, ecology (animal and chemical), anthropology and health, requires standardized protocols to distinguish adaptive benefits from toxicological aspects. The present analysis, thus, highlights critical research gaps and warrants conceptualization of integrated research focusing on the suggested aspects of geophagy by fostering collaboration across disciplines.

The Thrace Region of Türkiye hosts diverse lacustrine habitats (LH) that are particularly vulnerable to potentially toxic elements (PTEs). This study investigated 25 PTEs in 33 LH, including 19 irrigation ponds, 12 reservoirs, and 2 natural lakes, across dry and wet seasons. Concentrations varied considerably, with Na and Mg showing the highest levels across all sites and seasons. Seasonal changes were pronounced: several PTEs, including Li, B, Na, and Mg, were strongly diluted during the wet season (up to 99%), while others, such as Cu, Zn, Sr, and Fe, were enriched under these conditions. Ecological risk indices e.g., heavy metal pollution index (HPI < 100) and, heavy metal evaluation index (HEI < 10) indicated generally low contamination levels in the LH, whereas irrigation water quality indices revealed high-risk conditions in Gala and Pamuklu lakes. Human health risk assessment showed that non-carcinogenic risks were within acceptable limits, hazard index (HI < 1) for all age groups, and the carcinogenic risks (CR > 10⁻⁴) slightly exceeded the threshold for children, primarily due to Ni, As, and Pb. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 72.5% of the total variance and attributed PTEs to three dominant source categories: industrial, agricultural, and geogenic. Cluster analysis further grouped the habitats into three clusters reflecting similarities in their PTE profiles.

The lack of clean water due to water pollution is a significant issue, particularly in developed and low-income nations. This work investigates an economic approach to removing the carcinogenic heavy metal cadmium (Cd) from wastewater using activated carbon derived from coconut biomass (C-AC) and acid-modified coconut biochar (HC-AC). The characterization results demonstrate that both C-AC and HC-AC had porous structures with high surface areas of 572.6 and 664.4 m² g^-1, respectively. They also contained oxygen- related functional f groups such as C-O, C=O, O-H, and -COOH, which help enhance the adsorption of Cd²⁺ through complexation and ion exchange. Experimental results indicated that the adsorption performance of Cd²⁺ ions strongly depends on solution pH, with the highest removal efficiency observed at pH 6.0. First-order and second-order kinetic models were applied to investigate the time-dependent and removal rate of Cd²⁺ ions. Moreover, the removal efficiency of Cd²⁺ decreases from 84.9 to 55.3% for C-AC and from 96.7 to 67.5% for HC-AC as the initial concentration increases from 10 to 200 mg L⁻¹. After 180 min of contact time, HC-AC completely removed Cd²⁺ ions from the wastewater sample, and C-AC also displayed a high removal rate of around 95%. After three reuse cycles, both adsorbents retained effective removal efficiencies for Cd²⁺ ions, with 75.3% for C-AC and 87.8% for HC-AC. Compared with other adsorbents, HC-AC not only exhibits a high adsorption capacity for Cd²⁺ (140.3 mg g^-1) but also offers several benefits, including low cost, waste-to-resource conversion, and scalability. This work presents an effective approach to converting waste biomass into value-added materials.

Arsenic (As) contamination of the environment, primarily from mining activities, crop residue, and manufacturing, is a significant global problem that requires practical solutions. This research aims to evaluate thermophilic metal-resistant strains of bacteria for the biological treatment of toxic arsenic. In addition, this study sheds light on the growth kinetics and molecular identification of potent bacterial strains. Three metal-resistant bacteria, designated as TA13, SA18, and GA16, were isolated and evaluated for their arsenic resistance and bio removal potential. The molecular analysis of these isolates was done by 16S rRNA sequencing, and these were identified as Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius strain R-35637, Geobacillus subterraneus strain 34, and Parageobacillus toebii strain GT-02 with high similarity percentages of 99.17%, 98.97%, and 98.14%, respectively. The bioremediation rate and adopted removal mechanism of thermophilic strains were evaluated through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Among the strains, Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius strain R-35637 demonstrated the highest arsenic biosorption rate (56.4%). This strain was isolated from the Tapt Kund hot spring, Badrinath Dham, Uttarakhand (India), a site of major religious significance. Therefore, this investigation can be considered as a novel, efficient, economically cheap, and sustainable method for metal treatment.

Urbanization and industrial activity contribute to environmental contamination, increasing potential health risks for residents via trace metal exposure. This study used a probabilistic human health risk assessment (PHHR) to evaluate trace metal exposure in Australian homes, using garden soil data from 9548 homes and indoor dust samples from 2341 homes. A focused assessment of 75 homes in the historically industrial Illawarra region was included to investigate possible legacy contamination. PHHR captures variability in exposure frequency, contaminant concentrations, and intake rates, unlike deterministic models. Exposure was assessed through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact pathways. In Illawarra, garden soils had significantly higher mean concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn compared to national levels (p < 0.05). Indoor dust from older homes and areas near former industrial sites also showed elevated levels of As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn (p < 0.05). Children consistently showed greater health risks than adults, particularly from indoor dust ingestion. Nationally, non-carcinogenic risk (hazard index, HI) exceeded the threshold (HI > 1) above the 98th percentile in soil (HI max = 4.98 children; 3.05 adults) and above the 86th percentile in dust (HI max = 8.48 children; 7.02 adults). Carcinogenic risks (TCRs) exceeded 1 × 10⁻⁴ above the 95th percentile in dust. In Illawarra, exceedances were rare (< 0.5%), with HI > 1 observed only above the 99th percentile in dust. These findings highlight indoor dust is a critical trace metal source and the value of PHHR in identifying high-risk cases that may otherwise be overlooked.

Arsenic (As) is widespread in the environment. It poses serious health risks, particularly through rice, which can accumulate up to 10 times more arsenic than other cereal crops because of flooded growing conditions. Rice is the main staple food in Cambodia; therefore, this study assessed arsenic contamination in 110 polished and 100 unpolished rice samples collected from Kandal, Kampot, and Kep Provinces. Total As was measured via acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The As concentrations in polished and unpolished rice ranged from 0.11 to 0.55 and from 0.09 to 0.89 mg/kg, respectively. Based on estimated iAs fractions, EU maximum permissible levels were exceeded in a substantial proportion of rice samples, particularly those from Kandal. Among the rice cultivars, Sen Kro Ob (Kandal), Phka Rumduol (Kampot), and Phka Mlis (Kep) presented the highest arsenic concentrations. The health risk assessment identified potential concerns, with hazard quotients (HQ) exceeding 1 and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) exceeding 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ across rice types. Compared with males, females presented higher estimated risks in the scenario-based assessments, primarily because of lower average body weights despite similar rice consumption levels. Overall, arsenic exposure risk varies by geographic origin, rice type, and cultivar. Continued monitoring and targeted risk communication are recommended to mitigate long-term health impacts.

Assessing soil quality in industrial coal-mining regions is critical for ensuring environmental sustainability and public health. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of heavy metal (HM) contamination, ecological risk, and source apportionment in the Zonguldak province of Turkey. By utilizing systematic soil sampling, the research integrates statistical evaluation and spatial mapping with multiple contamination indices, including the Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index (I_geo), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI). Results revealed that mean concentrations of Co, Cu, Hg, Cd, Zn, and Ni significantly exceeded crustal and global soil averages. Furthermore, high coefficients of variation for elements such as Cu and Zn suggested significant anthropogenic influences. Spatial analysis, supported by I_geo and EF indices, identified critical pollution hotspots near the urban centers of Ereğli, Alaplı, and Zonguldak, as well as the Gülüç River basin. The overall ecological assessment indicated moderate ecological risk (PERI) across most of the study area, with Hg posing the highest individual risk based on average Er values. PMF analysis identified five potential sources contributing to heavy metal enrichment: coal mining and coal-based emissions, geogenic origins, industrial processes, agricultural activities, and mixed sources. This integrated approach establishes a robust scientific baseline for the effective management of heavy metal pollution in coal-dependent industrial landscapes.

Farmland soil of the Yarlung Zangpo River basin plays an important role in crop cultivation and highland barley is one of the staple foods of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau residents. This study assessed the current situation of heavy metal pollution in soil-highland barley system of farmland in the Yarlung Zangpo River basin. The pollution of As and Cr were found in farmland soil and highland barley, respectively. Soil heavy metals ranged from unpolluted to moderately polluted. The HI and TCR values for residents were above 1.00 and 1.00 × 10^-04, with As and Cr being the dominant contributors, respectively. Furthermore, identified non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk were also manifested by the result of Monte Carlo simulation. The source apportionment of soil heavy metals indicated that Cd primarily originated from industrial activities, Hg was the result of atmospheric deposition, As may stem from agricultural production, and other metals could be attributed to the natural factors. In conclusion, heavy metal pollution was found in soil-highland barley system of Yarlung Zangpo River basin and the pollution posed identified non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk to the adults and children. Among the studied metals, As and Cr should be the priority control objects.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a significant class of environmental hazards in the atmosphere, posing substantial risks to human health and to various components of forest ecosystems. This research focused on assessing contamination levels and sources of 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and on potential toxicity associated with seven low-molecular-weight (Σ7 LMW) and eight high-molecular-weight (Σ8 HMW) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Here, leaves of several tree species (the native Quercus robur L., Fagus sylvatica L., Pinus sylvestris L., and Taxus baccata L.; the introduced Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray bis) Parl.), litter and soil samples (10‒15 and 30‒40-cm depths) were analyzed in the formerly mining center of Baia Sprie, NW Romania. The content of Ʃ7 LMW PAHs decreased from litter to deeper soils (287, 9.07 ng g^-1), also for Ʃ8 HMW PAHs (447.53, 13.11 ng g^-1), and had an opposite pattern for Ʃ14 PCBs (61.76, 92.67 ng g^-1). In C. lawsoniana and Q. robur, the Ʃ15 PAHs and Ʃ14 PCBs contents were the highest, demonstrating their ability to accumulate organic pollutants. Based on the source diagnostic ratio analysis and statistical analyses, the origins of PAHs are attributed to a combination of petrogenic and pyrogenic combustion in mining and residential activities. The toxic equivalency factor shows that Ʃ8 HMW induces a moderate to high risk (10.45 ng g^-1) in Q. robur leaves, primarily due to the significant contribution of carcinogenic BaA, BbF, and BaP, whereas the risk is even higher in litter with levels of 71.55 ng g^-1. Q. robur leaves are recommended as suitable bioindicators in the assessment of ecosystem health. We underscore the necessity for future monitoring and engagement to implement more stringent regulatory measures of POPs, strategies for air pollution reduction, and sustainable practices aimed at risk mitigation.