Concentration Levels Of Heavy Metals Research Articles

The analytical assessment of metal contamination in industrial soils of Saudi Arabia using the inductively coupled plasma technology

Abstract In response to significant demand for evaluating the presence of heavy elements in diverse industrial areas of Saudi Arabia, the study sought to analyze the concentration ratios of 16 elements across 11 different artificial soil types in the industrial zones situated in Riyadh, Sudair, and Al-Ahsa. To achieve this objective, the research utilized the wet digestion technique and employed an ICPE-9000 spectrophotometer for quantifying element concentrations. The study had a dual focus: initially, it sought to gauge the pollution attributed to heavy metals arising from enrichment processes, and second, it evaluated the geographical accumulation of pollutants in the soil. The results revealed varying concentration levels of heavy metals across the industrial areas under study. Specifically, the soil in the Yanbu region exhibited the highest concentration values for iron, manganese, zinc, chromium, nickel, copper, cobalt, cadmium, and beryllium. In contrast, the soil in the industrial area of Riyadh had the highest concentration values for lead, mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), and arsenic (As). Furthermore, the highest concentration of Cd was recorded in the soil of the Jubail region. Conversely, the soil in the Al-Ahsa region displayed the lowest concentration levels for these heavy metals. The conductivity of the synthetic soil ranged from 0.47 to 6.07 μS·cm−1, accompanied by a pH range of 6.6–8.6. The results emphasized the fluctuations in element concentrations, indicating significant implications for both environmental and human health. Notably, around 20% of the gathered samples showed concentrations of heavy elements like Mo, As, Hg, and Se that surpassed the allowable limits.

Spatial variability of heavy metals concentrations in soil of auto-mechanic workshop clusters in Nsukka, Nigeria

The indiscriminate disposal of spent engine oils and other hazardous waste at auto mechanic workshops clusters in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria is an environmental concern. This study examines the concentration of heavy metals in the soil inside the workshop cluster and in the unpolluted soil outside the workshop cluster at approximately 100 m. Ten sampling points were randomly selected from within the cluster and another ten from outside the cluster. Using a hand-held Global Positioning System, the coordinates of the selected points were established and used to create a digital map. Soil samples at depths of 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm, were analyzed for Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, As and Cd using Spectrophotometer. Moisture content determination and particle size analysis were also done on the samples. Spatial variability of heavy metals concentrations of the studied site was also mapped with ArcGIS 10.2.2 using interpolation methods. Results showed that the soil ranged from sandy loam to sandy clay loam. Cadmium and Zinc had the lowest and highest concentration, respectively, in the studied area. Comparing the concentrations of heavy metals in soils within and outside the auto mechanic cluster revealed notable differences across various depths (0–30 cm and 30–60 cm). The analysis results for soil samples within the cluster exhibited concentration levels (mg/kg) ranging from 0.716–0.751 (Cu), 2.981–3.327 (Fe), 23.464–30.113 (Zn), 1.115–1.21 (Pb), 2.6–2.912 (As), and 0.133–0.365 (Cd) demonstrating a variation pattern in the order of Zn > Fe > As > Pb > Cu > Cd. Conversely, for soil samples outside the cluster, concentration levels (mg/kg) ranged from 0.611–0.618 (Cu), 2.233–2.516 (Fe), 12.841–15.736 (Zn), 0.887–0.903 (Pb), 1.669–1.911 (As), and 0.091–0.091 (Cd). To assess the disparity in heavy metal concentration levels between samples collected within and outside the clusters, ANOVA test was performed. The test showed significant difference in heavy metal concentrations between samples within and outside the auto mechanic cluster (p < 0.05), implying auto mechanic activities significantly impact heavy metal levels within the cluster compared to outside areas. The assessment of soil pollution utilized indices including the Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination factor (Cf), and anthropogenic metal concentration (QoC). Zinc, Cadmium, and Arsenic showed the highest contamination factors, indicating significant soil contamination likely due to anthropogenic activities. The concentrations of the metals analyzed were within WHO permissible limits while the metals concentrations were also observed to decrease as depth was increased. Using ArcGIS 10.2.2, spatial maps showing heavy metal distribution were developed, with the Kriging method proving superior. This study suggests that heavy metal levels in the soil at the area be monitored on a regular basis.

BEHAVIOR OF LANDFILLED STABILIZED FLY ASH TREATED BY DIFFERENT TREATMENT METHODS FOR THE PAST 27 YEARS

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash (FA) contains toxic substances and hence, direct landfilling of MSWI FA is prohibited in Japan Complying with Japan's stringent Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law, which demands adherence to landfill disposal and effluent standards, is crucial for ensuring environmental safety. To address the issue, various treatment methods including treatment by chemical, phosphoric acid, and melting and solidification can be used to stabilize the MSWI FA through the immobilization of heavy metals. However, the long-term stability of these treatment methods has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these three treatment methods for MSWI FA respectively, both independently and in conjunction with compost. This study involves the monitoring of changes in the concentration of heavy metals, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), total-chromium (T-Cr), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), that have been leached over a period of 27 years. This study aims to conduct a detailed analysis of the impact of various treatment methods on the concentration levels of these individual heavy metals. Notably, the results suggest that independently, phosphoric acid treatment outperforms chelate treatment in the long run, but when combined with compost, both treatments exhibit enhanced efficacy, suggesting a promising approach for immobilizing heavy metals.

Assessment of Levels of Selected Heavy Metals in Borehole Water in Zuru Metropolis, Kebbi State Nigeria

This paper assesses the concentrations of specific heavy metals in borehole water within Zuru Metropolis, Kebbi State. Utilizing rigorous sampling and analytical methods, the study aims to provide insights into the potential health risks associated with heavy metal exposure in the local water supply. Twenty different borehole water samples were assessed for Zn, Pb, Hg, Mn, Cr and Cd levels (mg/l). The results revealed that only few boreholes water samples had concentration levels of heavy metals that are not within WHO recommended levels. While chromium and cadmium levels are below detection limits .The findings contribute to the understanding of water quality in the region, offering valuable information for public health interventions and water management strategies.

Determining The Concentration of Heavy Metals in Soil Contaminated with Crude Oil at Al-Kasak and Al-Qayyarah Sites According to Environmental Indices of Pollution

Contaminated soil samples were collected from Al-Kasak refinery and Al-Qayyarah refinery in western and southern Nineveh, at specific distances in six dimensions (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300) meters from the source of pollution, to study the concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Mn, Ni, Cd, and the effect of oil refinery pollutants on some soil pollution standards, in addition to some physical and chemical properties of the soil and their concentrations. The results showed an increase in the concentration of heavy metals in the soil near the sources of pollution, with cadmium significantly superior to Al-Qayyarah site over Al-Kasak site (491.744) mg/kg, and lead, nickel and manganese recorded a higher concentration at Al-Kasak site compared to Al-Qayyarah site (166.356, 114.687, 36.487) mg/kg, respectively, and the order of mineral elements in the two study sites was Cd&gt;Pb&gt;Ni&gt;Mn.&#x0D; As for the Contamination Factor (CF), it was Cd &gt; Pb &gt; Ni &gt; Mn with values of 684.50, 9.91, 5.13, and 0.1701, where the concentration factor was highly polluted for cadmium and lead, and with significant contamination for nickel, while manganese was low in contamination, cadmium recorded severe pollution at Al-Qayyarah site compared to Al-Kasak site, while lead, nickel and manganese recorded significant contamination at Al-Kasak site compared to Al-Qayyarah. In addition, the pollution load index (PLI) was at the level of 5.81, 4.67 highly polluted at D1 and D2, while the rest of the percentages were at the level of 2, moderate pollution, Al-Kasak site had the highest pollution (PLI) value of (6.28), while the ecological risk (ER) averaged (20534.88, 16896.71, 19867.11, 19063.14, 18721.07, 18888.61), which indicates that all the sites had very high pollution, and the ecological risk index was also within the limits of very high pollution, with the highest value on D1 recorded (20568.45), and the potential ecological risk of cadmium was very high at Al-Qayyarah site with a value of (19410.95) compared to Al-Kasak site, where the ecological risk of lead, nickel and manganese was very high, and the ecological risk indices for Al-Qayyarah site were high compared to Al-Kasak site. The aim of the study is to estimate the concentration of heavy metals, according to environmental indices and the impact of oil refineries on the ecosystem in raising the level of heavy metal concentration.

Heavy metal load in waters and sediments of Karamana River Basin, southwestern India: A COVID-19 lockdown modulation

Rapid urbanization and industrialization jointly provoked heavy metal contamination in surface water (SW) and channel sediments (CS) of the riverine ecosystem especially in developing countries like India. Water and sediments are to be considered the most vital gears and useful indicators of the level of contamination in an aquatic environment. Furthermore, it is imperative to assess how COVID 19 lockdown, influenced the Karamana River Basin (KRB) waters catering to the quality water needs of urbanites of a city like Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. For an insight into this issue, 84 samples (water = 41; sediment = 41) were collected during the pre-monsoon (i.e., January) of 2021 and 2022 and analysed to generate heavy metal concentration levels in the samples. Our estimate of the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) of water in the KRB in 2021, during the late peak of Covid-19, indicates that though ∼78.89% of the basin (553.78 km2) stayed within the non-contaminated category, and ∼21.11% (or 148.22 km2) was in the contaminated or very poor category. Contrarily, in 2022 after the withdrawal of lockdown restrictions, the non-contaminated area sharply declined to ∼45.04% (316.15 km2) of the basin and the contaminated area rose to 54.96% (385.85 km2). Furthermore, the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) modeling strongly supports that Cr and Fe are the leading heavy metal polluters in the Karamana River (KR) waters during 2021 and 2022. Subsequently, estimated Igeo values in sediments indicate that the uncontaminated area has reduced from 88.89% to 83.73%, and the uncontaminated to the moderately contaminated area rose to 5.16%. Therefore, the shutdown of anthropogenic activities, including small- and medium-scale industries as part of the COVID-19 lockdown, improved the surface water quality of KRB for a short-stint of time, but swung back to normality just after the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Assessment of Levels of Selected Heavy Metals in Borehole Water in Zuru Metropolis, Kebbi State Nigeria

This paper assesses certain heavy metal concentrations in borehole water within Zuru Metropolis, Kebbi State. Utilizing rigorous sampling and analytical methods, the study aims to provide insights into the potential health risks associated with heavy metal exposure in the local water supply. Twenty different borehole water samples were assessed for Zn, Pb, Hg, Mn, Cr and Cd levels (mg/l). The results revealed that only few boreholes water samples had concentration levels of heavy metals that are not within WHO recommended levels. While chromium and cadmium levels are below detection limits .The findings contribute to the understanding of water quality in the region, offering valuable information for public health interventions and water management strategies.

Statistical Analysis and Health Risk Assessment: Vegetables Irrigated with Wastewater in Kirri Shamozai, Pakistan.

One of the primary environmental routes through which humans are exposed to metals and may be exposed to health risks is the food chain's contamination with heavy metals. The study observed the risks posed by contaminants in vegetables produced in soil that received wastewater irrigation, as well as their origins and the human health impacts. Eight harmful metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr) were tested for concentration levels in water, soil, and vegetable samples using analytical techniques and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The present study investigated the potential health implications associated with the consumption of vegetables irrigated using wastewater containing heavy metals. The results indicated a notable accumulation of heavy metals in plant and soil samples obtained from Kirri Shamozai, Pakistan. In comparison to vegetables cultivated in soil irrigated with fresh water, the concentration levels of heavy metals in vegetables grown on soil irrigated with untreated wastewater were considerably higher at (P ≤ 0.001) and above the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits. The results showed that heavy metals had significantly accumulated in the soil and had permeated into the crops. Heavy metal concentrations in vegetables cultivated on land irrigated with wastewater were more significant than those grown on land irrigated with freshwater. They exceeded US EPA and World Health Organization (WHO) limits. PCA results for Pb, Cu, and Cr are the main issues impacting water quality and health hazards. The PCA results show that the soil has an extensive loading of heavy metals Cd, Ni, and Mn.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in groundwater from motorized boreholes in Maitumbi, Tipa Garage Area, Minna, Niger State

Discharged industrial effluent poses a significant threat to groundwater due to potential heavy metal contamination. Elevated levels of heavy metals in drinking water pose serious public health risks. This study aimed to assess the quality of drinking water from motorized boreholes in Maitumbi, Tipa Garage Area, Minna, Niger State, by measuring heavy metal concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) as the analytical tool. Water samples were collected randomly from ten (10) boreholes, and the concentrations of some environmentally common heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, Ni, and Cr) were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer of PG Instruments Ltd. (Model AA500). The results showed high concentration levels for most of the observed metals, which exceeded the permissible limits by the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Generally, the study suggests that the water samples are not safe for drinking directly and recommends some level of tertiary purification to reduce the heavy metal concentration levels to make them safe for drinking.

Study of the concentration level of heavy metals in water and some tissues of common carp, Carpinus carpio L. which is cultured in cages in the Euphrates River

The current study included measuring some chemical and physical properties of the water of the study area and estimating the concentration of three heavy elements (lead, copper, and zinc) in the tissues of the common carp (Gills, muscles, and viscera) of Cyprinus carpio L. Samples were collected from one of the private farms that raise fish in floating cages on the Euphrates River from 11/18/2022 to 4/18/2023. The study also included measuring water temperature, air, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH And dissolved oxygen samples taken from the water were analyzed as well as samples taken from fish tissues on a monthly basis. The results of the study showed that the air temperature ranged between(6.8-10.2)C. Water temperature (17_33), turbidity (6.8_10.2), electrical conductivity (1.04_2.13), total dissolved solids (7752_18730) mg/l, and pH value (7.2_7.82) between neutral to lightly basic. The dissolved oxygen value ranged between (6.78 - 7.92) mg/l during the months of the experiment. The standard methods were used to estimate the concentration of heavy metals in water and tissues by flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The results showed that the highest total concentration of lead, copper and zinc was recorded in the water during the winter season (1.533, 2.300, 6.700) µg/L. Recorded in tissues for lead in the gills and viscera, the highest values were in spring (9.533, 6.500) µg/L, respectively. Copper recorded the highest value in the gills and viscera, respectively, and the concentrations were high in the autumn season (16.793, 18.723) µg/g dry weight, respectively. g dry weight respectively, the results showed that the accumulation of heavy elements was in the following order . &#x0D; Concentrations in the water are zinc &lt; copper &lt; lead&#x0D; And in the tissue as follows &#x0D; Gills &lt; muscle &lt; viscera lead &#x0D; gills &lt; viscera &lt; muscle copper &#x0D; Zinc gills &lt; muscle &lt; viscera&#x0D; Different densities were also studied to obtain the best culture density. Three densities (21_25_28 fish / m3) were used, with 500 fish for the first treatment, 900 fish for the second treatment, and 1100 fish for the third treatment, with an average weight of (120_140) g. Diet of Iranian origin was used for the three treatments. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences during the months of the study, where the highest rate was in the month of March.

A Study of the Levels of Nickel, Iron, Cadmium, and Lead in Some Potable Drinking Water from Well Sources in Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, Nigeria

This study looked into the levels of heavy metal concentrations (Ni, Fe, Cd, and Pb) in a portable well water sample from Dutsin-ma, Katsina State. A water sampler bottle was used to gather ten water samples from various randomly chosen wells. By adding HNO3, and HCl, heating the samples to 90°C and then cooling them, the samples were digested. Heavy elements were measured using a calibrated Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result indicates that the heavy metal concentration levels in a well water sample from Dutsimma, Katsina State for Ni, Fe, Cd, and Pb are in the range (mean) values of 0.005 \(\pm\) 0.0008 – 0.055 \(\pm\) 0.0024 mg/kg (0.021 mg/kg), 0.119 \(\pm\) 0.0011 – 0.7680. \(\pm\) 0006 mg/kg (0.3784 mg/kg), 0.035 \(\pm\) 1.8760 \(\pm\) .0092 mg/kg (0.6776 mg/kg), and 0.83 \(\pm\) 0.0010 – 1.19 \(\pm\) 0.0009 mg/kg (1.451 mg/kg) respectively. The well water samples are widely used by most of the populace of Dutsin-ma as the main source of drinking water. Very negligible levels of these heavy elements are present and thus pose no harm to the populace. However, constant monitoring of various water sources used for drinking is essential.

Effects of atmospheric dust particles on common medicinal plants in an industrial area of West Bengal, India.

The exposure of atmospheric dust particles on four common medicinal plants (Ocimum sanctum, Andrographis paniculata, Catharanthus roseous, and Kaempferia galanga, which are available in the study area and cultivated by the local people for medicinal purposes) affects their growth, levels of essential biochemical constituents and heavy metal concentration. The plant species were grown by pot cultivation in an industrial area with high levels of coal dust to assess the capacity of heavy metals accumulation in their leaves and changes in allometry and biochemical parameters. The results showed that annual average SPM and dustfall varied between 195.88 to 645.97 μg/m3 and 17.55 to 41.16 g/m2/month, respectively. Dustfall at different polluted sites was 2.4, 2.1, 1.5, 1.4, and 2.3 times higher than at the control site. The most prevalent heavy metal in atmospheric particulate matter was Zn, followed by Pb, Ni, Cu, Co, and Cd. Plant allometry measurements such as height, stem width, root length, petiole length, and leaf area are shown to have a strong and significant (p<0.05) negative correlation with dustfall and SPM. Total chlorophyll and RWC were inversely proportional to the dust load present in all the species. Except for Andrographis paniculata, chlorophyll and leaf-extracted pH of plant species were moderately correlated with APTI, whereas no correlation was noticed for ascorbic acid. A positive correlation between SPM and heavy metals in leaves was observed. The results implied that the cultivation and collection of medicinal plants from the study area could be potentially toxic to human health.

An Overview of the Level of Heavy Metals Concentration in Fruits and Vegetables

An Overview of the Level of Heavy Metals Concentration in Fruits and Vegetables

Assessment Of Heavy Metals Concentration In Well Water In Surulere Local Government Area Of Lagos State

This study examined the level of heavy metals concentration in the well water of Surulere local government area. The concentration was determined using an absorption spectrophotometer. The concentration of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) was determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The heavy metals [lead, Cadmium and Zinc] concentration of well water from the sampling site was found below the world health organization’s (WHO) recommended limit. The concentration of Cd was below the detection limit in some areas. It was recommended that the general public should be educated and enlightened on the health hazard involved in the consumption of contaminated water and there should be consistent monitoring of groundwater bodies in Lagos state.

Assessment of the Condition of Soils before Planned Hard Coal Mining in Southern Poland: A Starting Point for Sustainable Management of Fossil Fuel Resources

In Poland’s largest mining district, the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, there is a growing interest in resource development by small operators. Some concession areas are not yet directly affected by the mining industry. The objects of this research are two such areas and the goal is to determine a load of heavy metals (HM) in soils prior to mining projects and to assess the extent of their contamination at this stage. The metals studied were Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, while HM contamination was assessed using the Contamination Factor (CF), Contamination Degree (CD), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo). The Ecological Risk Potential Index (ER) and Comprehensive Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) were also employed. The pre-mining areas are close to an area where mining was terminated before 2000. For this area, we performed the same set of analyses as for the pre-mining areas studied. HM concentration levels and pollution indices in post-mining areas are significantly higher than in pre-mining areas. The results obtained in the post-mining area give an idea of the expected type and scale of potential threat to soils from mining and can form the basis for monitoring environmental contamination in subsequent investment and operation phases, as well as help develop and implement timely methods to prevent the increase in heavy metal immission to soils during mining activities. We believe that the presented approach of assessing the condition of soils starting at the pre-mining stage can support the sustainable management of energy resources in the cases studied and elsewhere.

Studies on some Physico-Chemical parameters and heavy metals concentration in the tissues of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus from Amansea River of Anambra state, Nigeria

The physico-chemical parameters of Amansea River and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in two most prevalence fish species Oreochromis nilotics and Clarias gariepinus of the river, were studied from February to September. The fish specimens were procured monthly from artisanal fisher folks from three sampling stations I, II and III. The samples were taking to the laboratory, and were analysed for heavy metals using 240 Version Atomic Absorption Spectrophometer (AAS) method. There were presence of Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) presence in the two fish species tested. The heavy metal ranking in descending order in O. niloticus are As&gt;Pb&gt;Hg&gt;Cr&gt;Cd, with mean concentration mg/kg-1 values of 5.093±0.153, 1.039±0.059, 0.134±0.012, 0.084±0.003 and 0.053±0.007 respectively, while C. gariepinus heavy metal ranking in descending order are Cd&lt;As&lt;Hg&lt;Pb&lt;Cr, with heavy metal mean plus standard deviation (SD) concentration mg/kg-1 values of 2.805±0.008, 2.784±0.058, 0.652±0.003, 0.555±0.008 and 0.365±0.026 respectively. The heavy metal concentration in the tissues of both fish species were higher than permissible limit for fish by the WHO/FAO of 0.2/0.5, 0.30/0.30, 0.05/, 0.05/0.05 and 0.020/0.02 mg/kg-1, rendering fishes from the river dangerous for human consumption. The physico-chemical parameters (To, pH, Salinity, DO, and Conductivity) of 280C, 6.60, 0.25ppt., 6.29mg/L-1 and 84.08us/cm-1 respectively were within the Federal Ministry of Environment standard for fish survival and growth. The high level of heavy metal concentration, calls for serious intervention, monitoring, control and management of activities going on along the river to prevent sicknesses associated with heavy metals bioaccumulation.

Assessing the Occurrence of Heavy Metals in Edible Fruits Grown around Mine Tailings Dam in Kitwe

Mining activities in the Copperbelt province of Zambia have been of great environmental concern, despite recorded improvements in the socio-economic sector. Heavy metal contamination of soils resulting from depositing mine tailings and rock waste has posed possible health risks for communities nearer such facilities. The current study was conducted around residential homes surrounding Kitwe slimes (TD25). This work investigated levels of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb in the soils, and avocado and lemons fruits, growing near TD25. Heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The work further assessed the estimated daily intake (EDI) associated with potential health risks to humans. In the soil, concentration levels of heavy metals showed a trend in the order: Fe > Cu > Mn > Co > Pb. Heavy metal contents in avocado and lemon fruits at 200 and 400 m away from TD25, all had p-values -1 (avocado) and 0.14 mg·kg-1 (lemon), though both results were far below the FAO/WHO standard range (12.5 - 19.6 mg·kg-1). For both fruits, Co and Pb results were negligible. The concentration of the five heavy metals in avocado and lemon fruits grown around Kitwe slimes did not pose any health risks to the consumers.

Heavy Metals in Soils Associated with Fertilizers in Trinidad

Heavy metals in agricultural soil pose human health risks through food consumption. In a novel study for Trinidad, concentration and pollution index levels of heavy metals were assessed from 18 agricultural farms using the X-Ray fluorescence technique, then to evaluate the Geo-accumulation and Nemerow’s Integrated Pollution indexes. Toxic elements Pb and As were present but soil quality due to anthropogenic input was found as unpolluted. Overall heavy metal pollution was classified at a precautionary level for 33% of farms, slightly polluted for 61% and moderately polluted for 6% of the farms assessed, thus, regular monitoring and mitigation measures are important for food safety and human health in Trinidad.

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Heavy Metal and Its Biochemical Effect in Fishes.

Level of toxic heavy metal concentration like lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) in thirty-six soft and hard organs and their impact on lipid profile of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Catla catla fish species inhibiting in Tanda Dam reservoir were investigated. The heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment, and fish of the different regions in the reservoir were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Lipid profile was carried out by AOAC official methods. The results showed that Pb was dominant among all the heavy metals in six organs, and its maximum concentration of Pb (22.5 mg kg-1 and 32.9 mg kg-1) was observed in scales in Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and tail of Catla catla, respectively. The maximum concentrations of Cd were observed in the head, scales, fins, and gills of Catla catla. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals was significantly different at (p ≤ 0.01) within the organs and between the fish species. The lipid concentration was minimum in those organs where the concentrations of heavy metals were maximum. It is clear from the findings that heavy metal accumulation reduces the lipid content of fish. It is inevitable to monitor the Tanda Dam reservoir to safeguard human health.

Combination of GIS and Multivariate Analysis to Assess the Soil Heavy Metal Contamination in Some Arid Zones

Recent decades have witnessed a danger to food security as well as to human health because of pollutants’ negative impact on crop quality. An accurate estimate of the heavy metal concentrations in Egypt’s north Nile Delta is required to lower the high concentration levels of heavy metal in the soil as a means to develop a remediation strategy that stabilizes heavy metals in contaminated soil. Using a geo-accumulation index (I-geo), contamination factor (CF), Improved Nemerow’s Pollution Index (Pn), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI), supported by GIS; principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis, six heavy metals (As, Co, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn) were analyzed from 15 soil profile layers (61 soil samples) to determine the extent of the soil contamination in the area studied. The findings demonstrate the widespread I-geo contamination of As, Co, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn in different layers. The ranges for the I-geo values were from −8.2 to 5.3; 4.11 to 1.8; 6.4 to 1.9; −9.7 to 2.8; −6.3 to 2.9; and from −12.5 to 2.4 for As, Co, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn, respectively. I-geo categorization therefore ranged from uncontaminated to strongly/extremely contaminated. The CF values varied from 0.01 to 60.6; 0.09 to 5.17; 0.02 to 10.51; 0 to 10.51; 0.02 to 7.12; and 0 to 7.68 for As, Co, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn, respectively. In decreasing sequence, the CFs are arranged as follows: CF (As), CF (Ni), CF (Zn), CF (V), CF (Cu), and CF (Co). Most of the research region (71.9%) consisted of a class of moderately to heavily polluted areas. Additionally, a large portion of the study region (49.17%) has a very high risk of contamination, as per the results of the PERI index. The use of a correlation matrix, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis(PCA) to evaluate the variability in the soil’s chemical content revealed the impact from anthropogenic activities on the heavy metal concentration levels in the study area’s soil. The current findings reflect the poor quality of management in the research region, which led to the increase in the concentration of heavy metals in the soil. Decision-makers could use the outcomes from the spatial distribution maps for contaminants and their levels as a basis for creating heavy metal mitigation strategies.