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Research on heavy metal pollution in horticultural farms located around lakes in the Central Ethiopian Rift Valley Region has focused on measuring the levels of heavy metals and their health implications. However, the ecological risks of horticultural farms contaminated with heavy metals in this region have not been studied. The current study addresses this gap by providing information on the degree of heavy metal contamination and the ecological risk associated with horticultural farms around Lake Ziway, using various pollution indices. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP‐OES) was used to measure the concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Hg, and Zn) in a total of 30 composite soil and irrigation water samples, each consisting of a mix of six subsamples. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, and Zn in soils collected from all the sampling sites exceeded the FAO/WHO maximum permissible limit (MPL). The values of both the contamination factor (CF) and contamination degree (Cd) of the heavy metals ranged from 0.04 to 2.66 and 2.81 to 6.14, respectively, indicating a low to medium level of contamination for both indices. The pollution load index (PLI) values of 0.451, 0.449, and 0.157 for sites 2, 1, and 3, respectively, indicate "unpolluted" to "moderately polluted" levels of heavy metal pollution. However, the ecological risk indices (ERIs) at sites 2 and 1 (158.92 and 141, respectively) showed a potentially high ecological risk due to soil pollution. Therefore, close monitoring and early intervention mechanisms must be in place to control pollution in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of heavy metals, namely, chromium, lead, cadmium, and copper, were evaluated in the water samples and selected fish organs (Labeobarbus intermedius) from the Borkena River, Ethiopia. The concentrations of these metals were determined using ELICO's SL-176 double-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The distribution of heavy metals in water samples analyzed was in the order of magnitude of Cu > Cr > Cd > Pb. The average heavy metal concentrations recorded in the water samples were below the maximum permissible limit established by international and national organizations (WHO, EPA, and USEPA), except for cadmium. Organ specificity was observed for accumulating the selected heavy metals in the order of liver > kidney > muscles. Pearson's correlation results revealed that Cr and Cd originated from similar sources. Hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard index (THI) results showed that Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb contents were safe and might not have adverse public health effects. From the point of carcinogenic risk, this study suggests that the observed Cr and Cd concentrations possibly pose a risk of developing cancer in the future. Controlling waste at the source and implementing remediation strategies should be done to reduce heavy metal pollution in the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Fresh vegetables are of a great value and the most common foods in the human diet around the world. They contain minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, antimetabolites, protein, carbohydrates, and water. However, they are a major source of heavy metals, which contain both essential and toxic heavy metals over a wide range of concentrations. The study sites serve as a regional commercial center, where vegetables such as cabbages, onions, carrots, potatoes, beetroots, lettuce, and tomatoes were irrigated year round and sold to consumers. The aim of the study was to determine the level of cadmium, chromium, copper, and lead and to estimate the health risks associated with their daily intake of vegetables marketed in Bahir Dar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. The concentrations of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were determined, and their health risks were estimated using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR) for selected heavy metals by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A total of 5 kg composite samples for each type of vegetable were collected by simple random sampling from an open market in Bahir Dar town, Northwest Ethiopia, and subsamples (1.25 kg) were digested via the wet digestion method. Results. The average concentrations of Cr and Cu in all selected vegetables were lower than the maximum limit of expected values. However, the concentration (mg.kg−1) of Pb in carrots, potatoes, and beetroots exceeded the safe limit of 0.3 mg·kg−1 set by the FAO/WHO and the concentration of Cd (mg·kg−1) in carrots, which is higher than the FAO/WHO limit, 0.2 mg·kg−1, in dry weight. The health index (HI) values (mg·kg−1 day−1) of all vegetables except carrots were lower than one. The TCR values for Pb, Cd, and Cr in all vegetables exceeded the US-EPA recommended threshold risk limit, but the TCR value of carrot was above the moderate risk limit (>1 × 10−3) set by the US-EPA. Conclusion. This study indicated that the concentration level of lead and cadmium in potatoes, onions, carrots, and beetroots marketed in Bahir Dar town is not safe for use by the local community. The consumption of carrots in the study area may cause both noncancerous and cancerous health risks. Therefore, regular monitoring of these toxic metals in vegetables should be carried out to prevent heavy metal toxicity associated with the consumption of those vegetables marketed in Bahir Dar town, Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spices have been recognized to have medicinal properties. Among several spices and medicinal plants, black cumin and fenugreek are very common. Geographical, climatic, and cultivating soil type can change the chemical composition of these spices. The objective of this work is to determine proximate, phytochemical, and heavy metal content in black cumin and fenugreek cultivated in the Gamo zone, Ethiopia. The proximate composition (moisture, ash, fiber, fat, protein carbohydrate, and gross energy) was determined; their content (%) in black cumin is 6.98 ± 0.12 , 5.02 ± 2.9 , 6.90 ± 0.21 , 32.1 ± 0.68 , 20.9 ± 0.09 , 34.1 ± 0.73 , and 498 ± 4.4 , respectively, and 6.30 ± 0.35 , 4.27 ± 0.17 , 9.36 ± 0.25 , 12.8 ± 0.41 , 30.8 ± 0.09 , 46.1 ± 0.52 , and 422 ± 1.6 , respectively, in fenugreek. The total means of phenolic flavonoids and alkaloids in black cumin are 193 ± 5.3 mg GAE / 100 g , 87.6 ± 4.3 mg QE / 100 g , and 69.4 ± 4.7 mg AE / 100 g , respectively, and 382 ± 11 mg GAE / 100 g , 123 ± 3.6 mg QE / 100 g , and 37.6 ± 2.2 mg AE / 100 g , respectively, in fenugreek. In black cumin and fenugreek collected from Kamba, Daramalo, and Dita woredas, nine heavy metals were determined by using FAAS. The total mean concentrations in mg/kg for detected heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Co) in black cumin are 78.5 ± 5.9 , 27.3 ± 1.5 , 3.06 ± 0.26 , 8.47 ± 0.22 , and 10.1 ± 0.37 , respectively, and Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd were not detected in black cumin. Similarly, the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, and Ni in fenugreek are 168 ± 5.2 , 14.8 ± 0.20 , 4.76 ± 0.1 , 13.7 ± 0.40 , 3.66 ± 0.21 , and 2.12 ± 0.03 , respectively, and Cr, Pb, and Cd were not detected in fenugreek. All the results of determined parameters were compared to previous studies, and the values were in agreement with slight variations. Therefore, black cumin and fenugreek cultivated in the Gamo zone were free from heavy metal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Environmental contamination by heavy metals has become a worldwide problem in recent years because of industrial and agricultural development which causes cereal crop contamination via their wastes. The presence of toxic heavy metals in cereal crops accumulate in the body for a prolonged period of time which poses acute and chronic health risks. The aim of the study was to assess the level of heavy metals in selected cereals sold at Debre Markos local market, in Ethiopia. Methods. The samples were prepared for analysis by using the dry ashing method, and their cadmium, lead, chromium, and copper contents were analyzed by using microwave-induced plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) and were expressed in mgkg−1 dry weight. The accuracy of the method was analyzed by the spike recovery test. Results. The percentage recovery for Cr, Cu, Pb, and Cd in each sample ranged from 85.6 to 112.8%. The levels of heavy metals (mean ± SD) were as follows: chromium, 2.20 ± 0.072, 2.22 ± 0.061, 1.57 ± 0.48, and 1.84 ± 0.26; copper, 2.94 ± 0.19, 2.31 ± 0.06, 1.28 ± 0.13, 1.52 ± 0.035, and 2.31 ± 0.06; lead, 0.49 ± 0.031, 0.34 ± 0.121, 0.52 ± 0.029, and 0.37 ± 0.15; and cadmium, 2.01 ± 1.73, 1.84 ± 1.60, 1.95 ± 1.69, and 1.93 ± 1.67 for barley, teff, wheat, and maize, respectively. This study revealed that the levels of Cr and Cu are generally below the permissible limit. However, the levels of Pb and Cd in all cereal samples were found to be above the permissible limit set by FAO/WHO, 0.2 and 0.1 mg kg−1, respectively. Conclusion. The findings of the study suggest that most of the analyzed crops contained unsafe levels of lead and cadmium that exceeded the WHO permissible limits. Therefore, regular monitoring of these toxic metals in cereal crops should be carried out to prevent heavy metal toxicity associated with the consumption of some cereal crops marketed in the Debre Markos local market, Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of harmful particles from industries is one of the important sources of environmental pollution worldwide. The goal of this study was to determine the amounts of dust deposition and heavy metal pollution in the soils surrounding a cement mill in Konongo, Ghana. Topsoils (0-10 cm) were sampled at the four geographical axes of the factory within a radius of 400 m, while at the same time, about 500 g of cement was sampled with a hand trowel. A Frisbee dust sampler was used to examine the levels of dust depositions at the various geographical axes of the factory. The heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) were measured in a total of 20 soil samples using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results obtained for climatic elements such as wind speed and direction, temperature, and relative humidity were 2.25, 25.7, and 49.5 m3/s, respectively. The average deposition of dust within the study period using the geographical axis indicated that the southern axis recorded the highest dust accumulation with a mean of 60.2 g/m2 per month. The mean concentrations of metals at the various axes were 1.04 mg/kg, 4.78 mg/kg, 8.95 mg/kg, 9.30 mg/kg, and 18.4 mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb, respectively. The concentration of chemical components investigated in the soil was below the WHO/FAO standard, except for Cd. The spatial distribution pattern of the examined heavy metals showed that Cd, Cr, and Cu represent possible sources of soil contaminants. According to the conclusions of this research, this paper suggests an approach to investigate the areas contaminated with heavy metals to call out the attention of local authorities to take action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal (HM)-induced toxicity and its associated complications have become a major issue in the medical world. HMs are not biodegradable, enter into the food chain, and gets accumulated in the living systems. Increased concentrations and accumulation of HMs can cause severely damaging effects and severe complications in living organisms and can even lead to the death of the organism. In Ayurvedic medicine, ingredients of natural origin, including whole plants or certain portions of the plant, animal sources, and minerals, are used for therapeutic purposes as medicine, both alone and in combination. HM such as cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, nickel, and arsenic cause hazardous effects on animals, human health, and the environment. This review focuses on mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects of HM , mechanism, organ toxicity, available remedies in the market, and their side effects. Also, emphasis is given to alternative systems of medicine to treat HM toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution is one of the main factors that significantly affect biological systems and human health. Soil pollution with heavy metals is an increasingly pressing problem worldwide. In general, heavy metals are stable and do not decompose, unlike other organic pollutants. The quantity of them is natural components of soil crust, the remaining come from human activities, which may result from the extensive use of sewage. In the present study, a methodology aimed at simultaneous quantification of 16 heavy elements in soil of 3 different regions was developed. The concentration of 16 soil heavy metals (Se, Cd, V, Be, As, Mn, Co, Zn, Fe, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, Mo, Hg, and Ti) was measured in 11 sampling along Riyadh, Qassim, and Medina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 3 sites soil treated with sewage water. These chemical minerals were identified in the samples using an ICPE-9000 spectrometer. The assessment of heavy metal contamination was derived using enrichment factors (EF), the pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo). This study revealed that the soil is predominantly polluted by Cd, As, and Mo of Riyadh and Medina and As, Mo, and Cd of Qassim region at site B and site C, respectively. As recorded, the highest concentration value of 5000 mg/kg for Fe at site (B) followed by Cu. The Igeo value of Cd is 1.1520 in Medina region. The Igeo value of Se is 3.2395 in Medina region, while its cumulative geographical index decreased in the regions of Riyadh and Qassim, which amounted to 2.6114 and 2.1699, respectively. The Igeo values of the rest of the minerals in the three regions studied indicated that the soil is unpolluted, while it was slightly to moderately polluted for both Mo and Hg in most regions studied. The minerals in the soil at all sites studied were less than the general average concentration. With the exception of mercury, molybdenum, arsenic, cadmium, and selenium, whose concentration exceeded the permissible and recommended limits. The increasing order of concentration of minerals was Be < V < Cd < Hg < Mo < Co < Zn < Pb < Cr < Se < As < Ni < Ti < Mn < Cu < Fe at all sites, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzes the survey data on the surface sediments in 355 stations in Xiamen Sea area during 2004-2006, 2007-2009, 2010-2013, and 2014-2016. The result finds that contents of TOC, sulfide, and oils in the surface sediments were generally low but showed significant spatial differences (p < 0.05) in most cases, with TOC in the West Sea area (WS) staying significantly higher than other sea areas. Xiamen Sea area suffered universal heavy metal pollution mainly from Cu and Zn for years in the WS, the Jiulong River Estuary (JE), and the East Sea area (ES), and the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) exhibited significant spatial differences across the four periods (p < 0.05). With the source of heavy metals in the WS being mainly related to human activities, Cu and Zn were related to the development of port shipping and Pb to aquaculture. The heavy metal pollution in JE was mainly related to the input of rivers emptying into the sea. The high Cu content in the ES was related to the direct discharge of massive domestic sewage into the sea at the time. From 2004 to 2016, the potential ecological risks of heavy metals in Xiamen Sea area stayed low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the level of heavy metals in the Holeta and Golli rivers and their impacts on the community of Holeta town, Ethiopia. Water samples were collected from eight randomly selected locations (4 sites from each river). A questionnaire survey, FGD, and KII were also used. Secondary data were also taken from the nearby health center. The flame atomic absorption spectrometer was used to analyze the samples. Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, and Cd were the identified heavy metals. The Holeta River contains Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd, whereas the Golli River contains Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd. The levels of Fe, Cr, Ni, Fe, and Mn were above the permissible limit of WHO (1984) and USEPA (1992). The primary sources of income for the people who lived in the area were farming and jobs on flower farms. Wastewaters discharged from the surrounding flower farms were the major polluting source (84.3%) of the river. About 84.3% of the surrounding community claimed that wastewaters discharged from the flower farms are the major polluting sources of both rivers. Many of the flower farmworkers (43.9%) have also exposure to toxic insecticides and pesticides used on the farm. About 60% and 20.5% of the workers have frequent severe headaches and skin irritation due to exposure to heavy metals. Generally, both the surrounding community and flower farmworkers are facing significant health and socioeconomic impacts due to the heavy metals joining the rivers. Therefore, effective management of pollution sources and continuous monitoring of the river quality is very imperative to minimize the impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, hydrothermal treatment was used to treat river sediment. The physicochemical properties, chemical speciation, bioavailability, ecotoxicity, and leaching toxicity of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb) in sediment under different hydrothermal treatment conditions were studied, and stabilization mechanisms of heavy metals were explained. The results showed that hydrothermal temperature and time had a huge impact on sediment reduction and heavy metal stabilization. The best reduction and stabilization of sediments were achieved at a hydrothermal temperature of 260°C and a hydrothermal period of 3 h. The hydrothermal treatment caused the sediment to undergo dehydration, dihydroxylation, decarboxylation, deamination, and aromatization with a gradual decrease in its H/C ratio, O/C ratio, and pH; a gradual increase in porosity and surface area; and a decrease in particle size. This facilitates the dehydration, reduction, and stabilization of the sediment. The bioavailable components of heavy metals in sediment were dramatically reduced following hydrothermal treatment, but the fraction of stable components rose significantly. This resulted in a marked decrease in the environmental bioavailability, ecotoxicity, and leaching toxicity of the heavy metals. Therefore, hydrothermal treatment might be an effective ex situ repairment way for reducing, stabilizing, and making river sediment harmless. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lanzhou is located in the northwest of China and is famous for its petrochemical and heavy industries of China. The city has suffered long-term pollution of heavy metals in recent years. Significant efforts, such as tax subsidies for new energy vehicles and treating solid waste, have been launched by the Lanzhou municipal government to address the pollution of heavy metals since 2010. What is the current status of heavy metal pollution in Lanzhou? In this study, the concentrations of 12 heavy metals (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, and Pb) were tested from 20 sediment samples. Mn, Zn, V, and Cr are the predominant heavy metals, with mean concentrations of 534.65, 65.85, 56.29, and 36.05 mg/kg; Ni, Cu, Pb, Co, and As are in moderate amounts, with mean concentrations of 25.2, 21.5, 16.7, 9.87, and 4.86 mg/kg; Mo and Cd have the lowest mean concentrations of 0.54 and 0.15 mg/kg. A low ecological risk is confirmed by two indices, the Hakanson potential ecological risk index (R I) and the geoaccumulation index ( I geo ). The R I index has lower E i r values (<40) and R I values (<150), which range from 18.11 to 37.95, with an average value of 25.61. Co, V, Cd, Cu, Zn, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Mn metals are classified as an uncontaminated environment (level 0) and a moderately to heavily contaminated environment (level 2-level 3) by I geo values. Seven heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Cu, Zn, and Ni) in Lanzhou are the relatively lowest amount in the 5 cities in China. The changing trends of heavy metal concentrations firstly increase and then decrease gradually from 2005 to 2022. The time turning point of concentration shrinking occurred in approximately 2014, which is in response to the increased efforts of addressing the pollution launched by the Lanzhou municipal government since 2010. Source analysis by Pearson's correlation and principal component analysis revealed that the accumulation of Mo metal was caused by the enrichment of MnO2 in the oxidic condition; the accumulations of Cu, Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cd, and Pb metals are influenced by natural sources and human activities (vehicle exhaust and industrial pollution), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the pollution of heavy metals in the soils around the mined rare-earth mines, this paper used the geoaccumulation index method, the Nemerow pollution index method, and the potential ecological risk index method during the high water period and the withered water period, respectively, to analyze and assess the pollution characteristics and ecological risks of Mn, Cu, Cr, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the soils of the study area. The results showed that all the eight heavy metals in thesoil of the study area have accumulated to varying degrees, and the accumulation indices were Pb > Mn > Zn > Cd > Cu > Ni > Cr > As in descending order, with Pb and Mn accumulating most seriously. According to the results of the Nemerow pollution index, more than 25% of the sampling points in the soil were lightly contaminated, the Nemerow index of heavy metal Pb was greater than 2, which was moderately contaminated, and Cd was lightly contaminated in the withered water period. The potential ecological risk index showed that the heavy metal Cd was moderately ecologically hazardous, while the other seven heavy metals were all mildly ecologically hazardous. The heavy metals Pb and Mn in the soils of the study area were more seriously polluted, and there was also a certain degree of heavy metal Cd pollution during the withered water period, and the more seriously polluted areas were mainly located around the open pit of the rare-earth mines. Based on Java, the software platform of soil heavy metal pollution characteristics and ecological risk assessment around rare-earth mines is realized. The overall structure of the platform is designed, the background development framework is planned based on SSM, and the database is designed with SQL Server. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, soils heavy metals pollution and health risks researches in oasis are few, and in this study, the Aibi lake basin-a typical oasis-was chosen as the research area, and then, we evaluated the pollution status and sources identification and analyzed the health risks of ten heavy metals in the soils. Results showed that (1) the average (range) values for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were (6.500-48.040) 20.011, (0.0002-0.088) 0.035, (0.060-18.150) 5.994, (24.160-106.400) 53.557, (3.460-58.760) 16.981, (0.0002-0.099) 0.042, (195.310-842.850) 483.311, (0.960-70.100) 14.235, (0.180-25.390) 8.086, and (22.340-156.250) 61.334 mg/kg, respectively, and we can get except for As, the maximum values of other nine elements all within the limited values provided by the soil environmental quality risk control standard of China. (2) Health risk evaluation showed that the total exposure amount for ADIing for children and adults was 0.001067998 and 0.000344707, ADIinh for children and adults was 9.69977E-08 and 7.95869E-08, ADIderm for children and adults was 8.52275E-06 and 2.09927E-06, and the order of exploring ways is ADIing > ADIinh > ADIderm. (3) The multivariate statistical analysis and PMF results showed that Cr, Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn primarily come from the natural background and man-made sources; Cd primarily comes from man-made sources; As and Hg come from natural background sources and industry sources. The results can provide reference values for heavy metals pollution prevention and the protection of the environment in the Aibi lake basin and as well as central Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human exposure to nonessential trace elements occurs from food crops that are contaminated by the soil. The present study aimed to determine the level of heavy metals in soil and rice samples using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer from three major industrial areas in Bangladesh: Savar, Gazipur, and Ashulia. Heavy metals were detected in the order Fe > Zn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd > As and Zn > Cu > Cr > Co > Fe > Cd > Pb > Ni > As in the soil and rice samples, respectively. From this analysis, it was observed that the detected concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cr, and Co were higher than the WHO/FAO recommended maximum tolerance values. The transfer factor of the detected heavy metals from soil to rice was detected in the following order: Zn > Cu > Cr > Co > Cd > Pb > Fe > As > Ni. The accumulation of heavy metals in rice is a major public health concern. Therefore, we recommend strict regulations for the safety of food crops grown in the study areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pollution of toxic heavy metals is considered one of the most important environmental issues which has accelerated dramatically due to changing industrial activities. This review focuses on the most common methods, strategies, and biological approaches of heavy metal bioremediation. Also, it provides a general overview of the role of microorganisms in the bioremediation of heavy metals in polluted environments. Advanced methods of heavy metal remediation include physicochemical and biological methods; the latter can be further classified into in situ and ex situ bioremediation. The in situ process includes bioventing, biosparging, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and phytoremediation. Ex situ bioremediation includes land farming, composting, biopiles, and bioreactors. Bioremediation uses naturally occurring microorganisms such as Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Rhodococcus, Alcaligenes, and Mycobacterium. Generally, bioremediation is of very less effort, less labor intensive, cheap, ecofriendly, sustainable, and relatively easy to implement. Most of the disadvantages of bioremediation relate to the slowness and time-consumption; furthermore, the products of biodegradation sometimes become more toxic than the original compound. The performance evaluation of bioremediation might be difficult as it has no acceptable endpoint. There is a need for further studies to develop bioremediation technologies in order to find more biological solutions for bioremediation of heavy metal contamination from different environmental systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to estimate the heavy metal pollution in groundwater, soil, fruits, and vegetables within the cement industry and its vicinity. Seven different fruits and vegetables and seven heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, and Mn) were selected for analysis in soil, groundwater, fruit, and vegetable samples by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results of this study were compared with the National and International Standards of Pak NSWQD, WHO, and USEPA. The pH of soil and groundwater samples was within limits (WHO and Pak NSDWQ standards are 6.5–8.5). The concentration of Cr and Cu in groundwater samples was above the WHO and Pak NSDWQ standards (Cr = 0.05 ppm; Cu = 2 ppm). Vegetable samples were contaminated with metals except for Ni and Mn, whereas, in fruit samples, Mn and Cd were not present (WHO limit for Mn = 5 ppm). The mean concentration of Ni was high in fruits (WHO limit = 10 ppm), Zn was high in vegetables (WHO limit = 100 ppm), and Cu was high in soil and groundwater (WHO limit for soil = 36 ppm; for groundwater = 2 ppm). The results of daily intake of metals (DIM) for fruits, vegetables, and groundwater were compared with TDI by USEPA and PTDI of the WHO/FAO, and all were within the recommended limits. Calculated BAF for the selected environmental sample, that is, Indian Squash, lime fruit, and so on, was in order of Co > Cr > Cu and THQ; HRI was calculated to estimate the human health risk, and they were in a trend of Ni > Co > Cd > Cr and for HRI Co > Cr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

21 sampling points were set in the West Lake of Hengshui Lake including 20 fish ponds and 1 natural pond to analyze the contents distribution of heavy metal elements including Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Hg, As, and Sb in sediment. The degree of heavy metal pollution was evaluated by the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) method. The results showed that the concentrations of Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Hg at in all sampling points of the fish ponds were lower than soil risk screening values of agricultural land in soil environmental quality: risk control standard for soil contamination of agricultural land (trial) (GB 15618-2018). The concentrations of As at 5 sampling points were higher than soil risk screening values and lower than soil risk control values of agricultural land in GB 15618-2018. The concentrations of Sb were lower than soil risk screening values of construction land in soil environmental quality: risk control standard for soil contamination of development land (trial) (GB 36600-2018). The evaluation results of the geoaccumulation index method showed that the pollution degrees of Cd, Pb, and Hg were moderately contaminated in general, the pollution degree of Cu was uncontaminated to moderately contaminated in general, the pollution degrees of Cr and As were uncontaminated to moderately contaminated in some sampling points, and Zn and Sb could be regarded as uncontaminated in sediment of the fish ponds in the West Lake of Hengshui Lake. Otherwise, the average contents of other heavy metal elements in sediment of the fish ponds in the West Lake of Hengshui Lake were higher than the background value of soil in Hebei Province (BVSH) except for Zn and Sb. The average contents of seven heavy metal elements in sediment of the natural pond in the West Lake of Hengshui Lake were lower than BVSH except for Cr. The result can be regarded as no pollution in the natural pond because the values of Igeo were all lower than 0. The heavy metal pollution in the sediment of the West Lake of Hengshui Lake may be due to the introduction of feeding. The water environment of the West Lake of Hengshui Lake can be effectively improved by cleaning up the sediment of fish ponds and "returning fishing to wetland." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]