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Urbanization-driven soil degradation; ecological risks and human health implications

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Abstract

Urban soils contaminated with heavy metals and pesticide residues are of great concern because of their adverse impact on human health. A total of 66 agricultural topsoil samples (15 cm) were collected to represent the study area and determine how anthropogenic activities adversely affect soil quality and human health. Sampling was conducted in the summer, when it was dry and hot, and in the winter, after atmospheric deposition. Seventeen potentially hazardous metals/metalloids (Ag, As, Al, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Mo, Pb, Se, Zn, and V) were measured in the soils. The mean concentrations of metals ranged between 0.05 and 8080 mg/kg, and their distribution was site-specific, with high pollution at the sampling sites owing to proximity to human activities. In agricultural areas, the greatest arsenic concentration was recorded at 48 mg/kg. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) and health hazard index (HI) were calculated, as well as metal contamination indices including contamination factor (Cf), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and pollution load index (PLI). The mean PLI was calculated to be 4.89, indicating that the area is highly polluted. The potential ecological risk index showed remarkably high risks for As, Cd, and Hg, and moderate risks for Ni and Pb. The arsenic hazard index (HI) was greater than one (2.41) in children, indicating a risk of exposure through ingestion. Pesticide residue analyses were performed in areas where the metal intensity was high. Banned or restricted organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues, including, dieldrin, endrin ketone, endosulfan I, II, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane (γ-HCH), PP-DDD, and methoxychlor, were detected between 0.002 and 1.45 mg/kg in the soil samples.

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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This research is supported by a grant from the Aksaray University (BAP 2017–014).

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  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Aksaray, Aksaray, Turkey

    Behiye Durdu, Fatma Gurbuz & Hasan Koçyiğit

  2. General Directorate for State Hydraulic Works, Isparta, Turkey

    Mustafa Gurbuz

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  1. Behiye Durdu
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All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, sample collection, and analysis were performed by Hasan Koçyigit and Behiye Durdu. Mustafa Gurbuz interpreted the data. Writing, editing, methodology, data analysis, and supervision were completed by Fatma Gurbuz. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Durdu, B., Gurbuz, F., Koçyiğit, H. et al. Urbanization-driven soil degradation; ecological risks and human health implications. Environ Monit Assess 195, 1002 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11595-x

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