Major and Trace Element Accumulation in Soils and Crops (Wheat, Corn, Sunflower) around Steel Industry in the Lower Danube Basin and Associated Ecological and Health Risks
Source abstract
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate for the first time the degree of contamination of soil and crops with major and trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, F, Na, Mg, Si, P, Cl, Fe, Al) in agricultural lands situated in the Lower Danube Basin, Galati and Braila counties (SE Romania), impacted by the steel industry. Soil samples, as well as leaves and seeds of wheat, corn, and sunflower, were collected from two depths in 11 different sites. Along with elemental and mineralogical analyses, performed by HR-CS AAS, PIGE, SEM-EDX, and ATR-FTIR, the soil pH, texture, organic matter, electric conductivity, and CaCO3 content were investigated. The results showed that the levels of Cr (83.27–383.10 mg kg−1), Cu (17.11–68.15 mg kg−1), Ni (30.16–55.66 mg kg−1), and F (319–544 mg kg−1) in soil exceeded the Romanian regulations for sensitive use of the land. Igeo, EF, PI, and PERI pollution indices indicate that the soil is moderate to highly contaminated with Cr, Ni, and Cu, while the CSI and mERMQ indices suggested a relatively low risk for metal contamination. The elemental concentrations in plant tissues and bioaccumulation factors (BFs) provide valuable insights into the soil–plant relationship, health risks, and the selectivity of plant compartments for different elements. Thus, the results revealed that the wheat plants tended to exclude the bioaccumulation of particular elements in their tissues, while exhibiting a different bioaccumulation pattern for Zn and Cu. In the case of corn, most BFs were below one, indicating a limited phytoaccumulation capacity. However, exceptions were observed for Cd, Zn, and Cu with the sunflower BFs indicating higher bioconcentration of these elements in leaves and seeds compared to other elements. Chromium (Cr) contributes to non-carcinogenic dermal contact and ingestion hazards, children being more susceptible to the adverse effects of this contaminant.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Heavy metals in environment · Heavy Metals in Plants · Radioactivity and Radon Measurements
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
INPOLDE Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 47 Domneasca St., 800008 Galati, Romania
Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domneasca St., 800201 Galati, Romania
“Horia Hulubei” National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului St., 077125 Magurele, Romania
Cross-Border Faculty, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domneasca St., 800201 Galati, Romania
Funding
EC
References (100+)
Show source-provided references
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