Assessment of heavy metal distribution and bioaccumulation in soil and plants near coal mining areas: implications for environmental pollution and health risks

Monitoring heavy metals (HMs) across source distance and depth distribution near coal mining sites is essential for preventing environmental pollution and health risks. This study investigated the distribution of selected HMs, cadmium (Cd 2+ ), chromium (Cr 2+ ), copper (Cu 2+ ), manganese (Mn 2+ ),...

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Published in:Environmental monitoring and assessment 2024-01, Vol.196 (1), p.97-97, Article 97
Main Authors: Akbar, Waqas Ali, Rahim, Hafeez Ur, Irfan, Muhammad, Sehrish, Adiba Khan, Mudassir, Muhammad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Bioaccumulation
Bioavailability
Cadmium
Carbon
Chromium
Coal
Coal mines
Coal Mining
Copper
Correlation analysis
Depth
Distance
Distribution
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Ecotoxicology
Electrical conductivity
Electrical resistivity
Environment
Environmental Management
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental Pollution
Flowers & plants
Health risk assessment
Health risks
Heavy metals
Lead
Manganese
Metals, Heavy
Monitoring/Environmental Analysis
Nickel
Organic carbon
Organic soils
Plant species
Plants (botany)
Pollution
Prosopis
Regression analysis
Soil
Soil chemistry
Soil depth
Soil pH
Soil pollution
Soil properties
Soil surfaces
Wheat
Zinc
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Summary:Monitoring heavy metals (HMs) across source distance and depth distribution near coal mining sites is essential for preventing environmental pollution and health risks. This study investigated the distribution of selected HMs, cadmium (Cd 2+ ), chromium (Cr 2+ ), copper (Cu 2+ ), manganese (Mn 2+ ), nickel (Ni 2+ ), lead (Pb 2+ ), and zinc (Zn 2+ ), in soil samples collected from ten sites (S-1–S-10) at two different depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm) and distances of 50, 100, and 200 m from a mining source. Additionally, three plant species, Prosopis spp., Justicia spp., and wheat, were collected to assess HM bioavailability and leaf accumulation. Coal mine activities’ impact on soil properties and their HM associations were also explored. Results reveal HM concentrations except for Cr 2+ exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) limits. In surface soil, Cd 2+ (58%), Cu 2+ (93%), Mn 2+ (68%), Ni 2+ (80%), Pb 2+ (35%), and Zn 2+ (88%) surpassed permissible limits. Subsurface soil also exhibited elevated Cd 2+ (53%), Cu 2+ (83%), Mn 2+ (60%), Ni 2+ (80%), Pb 2+ (35%), and Zn 2+ (77%). Plant species displayed varying HM levels, exceeding permissible limits, with average concentrations of 1.4, 1.34, 1.42, 4.1, 2.74, 2.0, and 1.98 mg kg −1 for Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cr 2+ , Cu 2+ , Mn 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Zn 2+ , respectively. Bioaccumulation factors were highest in wheat, Prosopis spp., and Justicia spp. Source distance and depth distribution significantly influenced soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). Soil pH and EC increased with an increase in soil depth, while SOC decreased. Pearson correlation analysis revealed varying relationships between soil properties and HMs, showing a considerably negative correlation. Concentrations of HMs decreased with increasing depth and distance from mining activities, validated by regression analysis. Findings suggest crops from these soils may pose health risks for consumption. Graphical abstract
ISSN:0167-6369
1573-2959
DOI:10.1007/s10661-023-12258-7