Potential ecological and human health risk assessments of soil heavy metals in orchards of Antalya province in Türkiye

Agricultural inputs containing heavy metals are used intensively in Türkiye. However, studies on the assessment of the effects of heavy metals on the environmental and human health risks of agricultural areas in Türkiye are very limited. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations, sources and potential ecological and human health risks of heavy metals in soils from orchards in Antalya, Türkiye. A total of 127 soil samples were collected and analysed for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). The mean concentrations of total Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were found to be 4.54, 64.68, 145.80, 94.00, 23.92, 28264, 763.30, 44.91, and 63.67 mg kg−1, respectively. The mean concentrations of Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, Cu and Mn of soils were higher than the European soil mean values. Enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) values of soils indicate serious enrichment for Cd, Pb and Ni. According to the principal component analysis, Cd concentration in the soil from was anthropogenic sources, Ni, Cr and Pb from both anthropogenic and lithogenic origin while other heavy metals from natural sources. Total hazard index (THI) values of heavy metals were <1, suggesting that there were currently absent non-carcinogenic health risks to residents through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. Hazard index (HI) indicated that children (3.75) were sensitive 9.4 times more than adults (0.40) to non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals. The carcinogenic risk values of Cd, Cr, Co and Ni were acceptable range and not expected carcinogenic risks.