Tracking soil health and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) across land-use types using physico-chemical, magnetic, and geochemical proxies: a case study from Manipal, Southwestern India.
Jai Vishnu Degvekar, Esha Ulhas Gadekar, O Darshana, Jagath Chand, Vadakkeveedu Narayan Amrish, Jithin Jose, K Priya, Santhosh Prabhu, Anish Kumar Warrier
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Abstract
This study investigates spatial variations in soil quality across five distinct land-use types-forest, roadside, agricultural, industrial, and residential-in the Manipal region of southern India. Ten surface soil samples from each land-use category were analysed for physico-chemical properties, geochemical composition, and environmental magnetic parameters to evaluate soil degradation and identify potential pollution sources. Marked variations were observed in electrical conductivity, pH, and salinity, with industrial and roadside soils exhibiting elevated values indicative of anthropogenic impact. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn, were significantly higher in roadside and industrial areas, frequently exceeding recommended safety thresholds. Environmental magnetic measurements, such as low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χlf) and frequency-dependent susceptibility (χfd%), effectively differentiated between anthropogenic and pedogenic magnetic inputs. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted distinct contamination patterns and revealed strong correlations between magnetic parameters and PTE concentrations. Pollution indices-including the Pollution Load Index (PLI), Enrichment Factor (EF), and Contamination Factor (CF)-identified notable contamination in industrial soils (PLI > 1.3). Overall, the findings underscore increasing environmental pressures on soil systems in rapidly urbanizing regions and demonstrate the value of environmental magnetism as a cost-effective, non-destructive tool for early detection and long-term monitoring of soil pollution. These insights can inform sustainable land management strategies and guide policy frameworks aimed at safeguarding soil health and ecological resilience.
期刊介绍：
Environmental Geochemistry and Health publishes original research papers and review papers across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. Environmental geochemistry and health establishes and explains links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of plants, animals and people.
Beneficial elements regulate or promote enzymatic and hormonal activity whereas other elements may be toxic. Bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of water and vegetation. Environmental issues, such as pollution, arising from the extraction and use of mineral resources, are discussed. The effects of contaminants introduced into the earth’s geochemical systems are examined. Geochemical surveys of soil, water and plants show how major and trace elements are distributed geographically. Associated epidemiological studies reveal the possibility of causal links between the natural or disturbed geochemical environment and disease. Experimental research illuminates the nature or consequences of natural or disturbed geochemical processes.
The journal particularly welcomes novel research linking environmental geochemistry and health issues on such topics as: heavy metals (including mercury), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and mixed chemicals emitted through human activities, such as uncontrolled recycling of electronic-waste; waste recycling; surface-atmospheric interaction processes (natural and anthropogenic emissions, vertical transport, deposition, and physical-chemical interaction) of gases and aerosols; phytoremediation/restoration of contaminated sites; food contamination and safety; environmental effects of medicines; effects and toxicity of mixed pollutants; speciation of heavy metals/metalloids; effects of mining; disturbed geochemistry from human behavior, natural or man-made hazards; particle and nanoparticle toxicology; risk and the vulnerability of populations, etc.
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