Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils of Acıpayam Plain, Denizli, Türkiye

Heavy metal (HMs) contamination of agricultural soils through human activities poses health-related risks to humans and habitat. The purpose of this study is to determine the pollution level and ecological risks of HMs in the agricultural soils, to reveal their potential sources and to evaluate health risks. Among the HMs, the mean concentrations of As, Cd, and Ni exceeded the upper continental crust. Enrichment factor revealed that there was very significant enrichment for Cd in 86%, and significant enrichment for As in 44% and Ni in 74%. The principal component and correlation analysis showed Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn were lithogenic origin, As and Cd were anthropogenic, while Pb and Ni were of both natural and anthropogenic origin. The hazard quotient values of all TMs and total hazard index values for both children and adults were lower than the risk level of 1, indicating that non-carcinogenic health risks are not expected for residents. Hazard index (HI) indicated that children (1.72) were sensitive 9.3 times more than adults (0.185) to non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals. The carcinogenic risk values of Cd, As, Cr, Co and Ni were in an acceptable range and not expected carcinogenic risks.