Abstract
In the present study, soil contamination by arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, uranium and zinc; and associated human health risks were assessed at 30 agricultural sites in Ferozepur District, Punjab. Above 90% soil samples had high content of chloride, sodium and potassium. Cadmium, arsenic, zinc and lead in 100%, 76.67%, 76.67% and 66.67% samples exceeded their safe limits (mg/kg; 0.06, 20, 50 and 10, respectively). Individual/multi-elemental indices indicated high PTEs contamination in soils posing low to considerable ecological risk. Principal components PCI and PCII contributed 44.748% and 30.476% variance in data, respectively. PTEs in soils were classified in two categories using cluster analysis (I: Cd, U, Co, Pb, Ni, Cr, As, Cu, Zn and Mn; II: Fe), indicating both geogenic and anthropogenic origins. Health risks due to PTE exposure via dermal contact, inhalation and ingestion were also assessed. Children were found to be highly prone to non-cancer health risk (mean hazard index = 1.30) by As exposure, mainly via ingestion pathway. High total cancer risk was posed to residents via As (7.52E-05) and Cr (9.17E-06) exposure, primarily through ingestion. Bioremediation and efficient disposal of solid and liquid wastes may reduce soil contamination in the study area.
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