{"title":"Effects of sulfate-reducing bacteria on the plant uptake of heavy metals in chelator-washed soil with residual heavy metal-chelant complexes.","authors":"Xiaofang Guo, Yu Pei, Yu Gao, Guixiang Zhang, Hao Wu, Hongyu Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02543-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02543-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The application of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) for stabilizing heavy metals in chelator-washed soils is critical for enabling agricultural reuse, yet its impact on plant uptake of heavy metals remains understudied. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of SRB-which include Shewanella JN01 (S), Clostridium ZG01 (C), and a mixture of the two strains (M)-on stabilization of heavy metal-chelant complexes and the uptake of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) by Chinese cabbage. The results revealed that all SRB treatments significantly reduced available Pb, Cu, and Zn by 8.23-34.85%, 8.78-15.72%, and 19.83-29.49% in the chelator-washed soils after planting Chinese cabbage, respectively. However, there was no significant change in available Cd contents in all SRB treatments because the formation of CdS with higher solubility constants was more difficult than the formation of CuS and PbS. Clostridium ZG01 reduced Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations in shoots by 41.85%, 83.02%, 14.55%, and 23.49%, respectively, and lowered transfer coefficients by 48.18-90.00%, outperforming other treatments. This strain enhanced soil bacterial diversity and organic matter content, likely through metabolic synergies and rhizosphere interactions. Our findings demonstrated Clostridium ZG01 has excellent efficacy in stabilizing metal-chelant complexes and mitigating phytoavailability in alkaline soils, though crop selection or integrated remediation strategies are necessary for safe reuse. Collectively, this study provided an efficient, green and economical strategy for the remediation of heavy metals-contaminated farmland after being washed by chelators.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"235"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mirosław Mleczek, Małgorzata Szostek, Marek Siwulski, Anna Budka, Patrycja Mleczek, Natalia Kuczyńska-Kippen, Przemysław Niedzielski, Sylwia Budzyńska
{"title":"Linking soil properties to elemental uptake patterns: species-specific accumulation in Boletales mushrooms.","authors":"Mirosław Mleczek, Małgorzata Szostek, Marek Siwulski, Anna Budka, Patrycja Mleczek, Natalia Kuczyńska-Kippen, Przemysław Niedzielski, Sylwia Budzyńska","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02546-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02546-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mushrooms are known to accumulate various essential and trace elements, yet the mechanisms governing this process and the influence of environmental factors, particularly soil properties, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate these aspects by analysing the mineral composition of 11 edible and non-edible mushroom species from the order Boletales, collected consistently from the same area over four consecutive years. The objectives included assessing (i) the content of 18 elements in both soil and mushroom samples, (ii) the relationship between soil properties and element accumulation, and (iii) species-specific trends in mineral uptake to enhance understanding of element dynamics. Analysis revealed significant variability in the content of essential minerals (e.g., Ca, K, Mg, and Na) and trace elements (e.g., Co, Cu, Fe, and Zn) among mushroom species, reflecting distinct accumulation profiles. Soil characteristics, notably granulometric composition and organic carbon content, differed among sampling sites and influenced elemental uptake by mushrooms. Multivariate analyses, including heatmap clustering, emphasised species-specific mineral accumulation patterns and facilitated the identification of groups of mushrooms with similar profiles. Correlation analyses confirmed significant positive relationships between soil and mushroom mineral contents for several elements (Ca, Mg, Co, Fe, Hg, and Pb), underscoring the critical influence of these factors. Permutational multivariate ANOVA revealed that the combined effect of all analysed variables explained nearly 80% of the variability in mushroom elemental profiles, with species emerging as the most significant factor, accounting for over 31% of the variability. These findings underscore the role of species identity in determining the mineral content of mushrooms, providing a deeper understanding of elemental dynamics within the mushroom-soil system.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"236"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12119777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrey Puchkov, Evgeny Yakovlev, Sergey Druzhinin, Igor Tokarev
{"title":"Radon (<sup>222</sup>Rn) concentrations in groundwater and surface water in the mountainous areas of the northern Tien Shan and assessment of radiological impact on health (case study in the Ala-Archa river basin, Kyrgyz Republic).","authors":"Andrey Puchkov, Evgeny Yakovlev, Sergey Druzhinin, Igor Tokarev","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02548-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02548-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article focuses on a pressing issue in mountainous arid regions: the elevated levels of <sup>222</sup>Rn in the natural environment. This phenomenon is related to the endogenous activity of mountainous regions, which gives rise to seismic activity, fluid dynamics and the occurrence of ore mineralisation. Among these areas, the Tian Shan region, which is mainly occupied by the Kyrgyz Republic, deserves special mention. This article presents the results of the calculation of the dose loads and the assessment of the potential radiological impact on the health of the population of different age groups from <sup>222</sup>Rn contained in the waters of the Ala-Archa river basin (Kyrgyz Republic). To this end, radioecological and physico-chemical parameters in surface and groundwater were investigated. The highest concentration of <sup>222</sup>Rn was observed in groundwater, with values ranging from 1.1 ± 0.5 to 139.2 ± 27.8 Bq dm<sup>-3</sup>, with a mean value of 21.3 ± 4.3 Bq dm<sup>-3</sup>. The results of the radon flux density studies led to the conclusion that the increased <sup>222</sup>Rn content in the groundwater is of tectonic origin. Dose calculations showed that the mean annual total effective dose was below the WHO recommended reference dose of 100 μSv y<sup>-1</sup>, except for groundwater for adults (107.86 μSv y<sup>-1</sup>) and infants (165.98 μSv y<sup>-1</sup>). The presence of surface water and groundwater with different 222Rn contents and the lack of radioecological studies indicate the potential for further research in the mountainous areas of the Tien Shan.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"234"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammed Laaboudi, Abdelhamid Mezrhab, Zahar Elkheir Alioua, Ali Achebour, Wadii Snaibi, Said Elyagoubi
{"title":"Correction: Assessment of water balance based on SWAT hydrological model: a case study of Oued Cherraa basin (Northeastern Morocco).","authors":"Mohammed Laaboudi, Abdelhamid Mezrhab, Zahar Elkheir Alioua, Ali Achebour, Wadii Snaibi, Said Elyagoubi","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02531-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02531-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"233"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144149885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hui Wang, Siyi Yu, Tony R Walker, Xuetang Huang, Hairu Chang, Hao Wu, Xiaoxu Wang, Yinggang Wang
{"title":"Characterization, distribution, sources and health risks of Dechlorane Plus (DP) in urban street dust of Shenyang City, China.","authors":"Hui Wang, Siyi Yu, Tony R Walker, Xuetang Huang, Hairu Chang, Hao Wu, Xiaoxu Wang, Yinggang Wang","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02551-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02551-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dechlorane Plus (DP) is an emerging persistent organic pollutants, yet few studies have been conducted in China, especially in urban dust. DP was measured and detected in urban street dust samples collected from Shenyang City, China. Spatial distribution, potential sources, and health risks of DP in urban dust were assessed in this study. Results show that anti-DP was easier to detect than syn-DP due to the proportion of DP production, stability, migration capability, and physical and chemical properties of DP isomers. Mean ∑DP, syn-DP, and anti-DP concentrations were 25.95 ± 11.59 ng/g, 5.71 ± 3.78 ng/g, and 21.57 ± 9.19 ng/g, respectively. Results suggested that levels of DP pollution were influenced by land-use type, and differences in DP between the two major transportation networks in the city (e.g., first-ring road and second-ring road) were not significant. Results of correlation analysis and fractional abundance of DP isomers were consistent, indicating that PD in urban dust of Shenyang City is mainly derived from commercial DP products. Although the health risks of DP in the dust of Shenyang City were within acceptable levels, results of exposure doses and health risks suggested that children were more susceptible to the impacts of DP than adults, with oral ingestion being a more important exposure pathway than dermal absorption.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"230"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144141820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiawei Wang, Teng Wang, Honghao Wang, Hua Jin, Hu Liu, Hong Yan
{"title":"Distribution and abundance of iron-sulfur cycle bacteria in acid mine drainage-impacted sediments of the Shandi river basin.","authors":"Jiawei Wang, Teng Wang, Honghao Wang, Hua Jin, Hu Liu, Hong Yan","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02537-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02537-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Iron-sulfur cycle bacteria are considered the principal participants in the regulation of iron and sulfur cycles, ubiquitously found in diverse natural ecosystems. This study concentrated on the spatial distribution patterns of iron-sulfur bacteria in the acid mine drainage (AMD) sediments, compared with AMD-impacted river sediments, and evaluated the potential influences of iron-sulfur bacteria on the metals in the Shandi River basin. The results showed that the water and sediments near the mine from the Shandi River basin had been seriously polluted by heavy metals and sulfate. Specifically, the Nemerow index (P) exceeded 5, and the comprehensive potential ecological risk factor (RI) surpassed 600. The sediment samples collected exhibited a profusion of iron-sulfur cycle bacteria, with the abundance of these organisms being higher within river sediments compared to AMD sediments, particularly for iron-sulfur reducing bacteria. The results of correlation and redundancy analysis showed that most metals had an impact on the abundance of iron-sulfur cycle microorganisms in different degrees. Meanwhile, SEM-EDS analysis revealed the presence of sulfate minerals in diverse forms in sediments, which might be biogenic. All of findings indicated that iron-sulfur cycle bacteria might regulate the forms of metal and sulphur, fixed most metals and sulfate, and further influencing the synthesis and phase transition of sulfate minerals in the sediments. This study confirmed the ecological values of iron-sulfur bacteria, which will be help for bioremediation of AMD contaminants in Shandi River basin.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"231"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144141822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiawei Wu, Yun Chen, Haijian Xie, Abdelmalek Bouazza, Huaxiang Yan
{"title":"Impact of fulvic acids on lead adsorption and transport behavior in cationic surfactant modified bentonite-loess liners.","authors":"Jiawei Wu, Yun Chen, Haijian Xie, Abdelmalek Bouazza, Huaxiang Yan","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02550-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02550-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The high concentration of fulvic acid (FA) derived from natural matter in landfill leachates has generated increasing interest, as it plays a significant role in influencing the mobility of potentially toxic elements in landfill groundwater environments. This study examines the adsorption and transport behavior of FA on landfill unmodified and modified loess soil liners, analyzing key factors (initial concentration, organ-bentonite content, reaction time, and soil-water ratio) using a Box-Behnken design-based Response Surface Methodology (RSM-BBD). Additionally, the research objective includes evaluating the adsorption of lead (Pb<sup>2</sup>⁺), providing a comprehensive assessment of the soil liners' performance against both organic and inorganic contaminants. RSM-BBD analysis showed that the higher the hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride-modified bentonite (HTMAC-B) content, the larger the adsorption capacity of the mixed soil for FA, which proved that FA was mainly adsorbed on the HTMAC-B. Loess + HTMAC-B exhibited the highest capacity, which can be 30.6 times that of loess. The presence of Pb<sup>2+</sup> notably enhanced the adsorption capacity of FA on the loess with HTMAC-B mixture. However, the increase in HTMAC-B content resulted in a decrease in the equilibrium adsorption of FA in the FA-Pb<sup>2+</sup> dual-contaminant system, mainly due to the reduction of adsorbed COO-Pb<sup>+</sup> and (COO)<sub>2</sub>-Pb complexes. When the HTMAC-B content reached 20%, the breakthrough time of Pb<sup>2+</sup> in the modified liner was shortened by 82%. The use of 5% content of HTMAC-B was identified as appropriate to achieve excellent retardation performance for multi-component pollutants such as organics, organic acids and potentially toxic elements. These insights contribute to understanding how geochemical mitigation of humic substances affects the mobility of potentially toxic elements, and from an engineering perspective, the alternative materials presented in this study may facilitate the construction of thinner liners that meet system requirements while exhibiting excellent adsorption performance for multi-component contaminants.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"232"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144149887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xue Shi, Ziwei Tian, Yuan Wang, Xuqiu Cheng, Yuantao Zhang, Xianwei Guo, Yan Zhang, Bing Hu, Changliu Liang, Jun Wang, Fangbiao Tao, Linsheng Yang
{"title":"Associations of non‑essential metals and their mixture with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese older adults.","authors":"Xue Shi, Ziwei Tian, Yuan Wang, Xuqiu Cheng, Yuantao Zhang, Xianwei Guo, Yan Zhang, Bing Hu, Changliu Liang, Jun Wang, Fangbiao Tao, Linsheng Yang","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02539-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02539-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Research investigating the impact of the non-essential metal (NEM) mixture on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among the elderly is presently insufficient. This study investigated the relationships between individual NEMs, their mixtures, and NAFLD in elderly individuals residing in Chinese communities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The analysis included 2741 participants drawn from the baseline survey of a longitudinal study. Urinary concentrations of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), arsenic (As), cesium (Cs), barium (Ba), thallium (Tl), uranium (U), and cadmium (Cd) were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). NAFLD diagnosis was determined using abdominal ultrasound imaging. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were utilized to evaluate the relationships between individual NEMs and NAFLD. Additionally, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and quantile-based computation regression (QGC) models were employed to assess the impact of the NEM mixture on NAFLD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After adjusting for covariates, Tl was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of NAFLD (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.44). Both RCS and BKMR models confirmed a linear relationship between urine Tl and the risk of NAFLD. Additionally, both BKMR and QGC models highlighted a significant connection between the NEMs mixture and NAFLD, identifying Tl as the primary driver. Significant interactions were observed between Tl and Ba, as well as between Tl and hypertension (P<sub>interaction</sub> = 0.055) and Tl and central obesity (P<sub>interaction</sub> = 0.008), collectively demonstrating synergistic impacts on NAFLD risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The NEM mixture is associated with a higher risk of NAFLD in Chinese old adults, with Tl as the primary contributor. Additional investigation is required to validate these findings and shed light on underlying biological pathways through which co-exposure to NEMs contribute to NAFLD.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"228"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144141819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sumaira Akram, Said Akbar Khan, Hatice Kubra Gul, Jabir Hussain Syed, Mureed Kazim, Syed Aziz Ur Rehman, Mustafa Odabasi, Perihan Kurt-Karakus
{"title":"Using hair as a non-invasive matrix to assess the exposure of e-waste workers to selected heavy metals in Pakistan.","authors":"Sumaira Akram, Said Akbar Khan, Hatice Kubra Gul, Jabir Hussain Syed, Mureed Kazim, Syed Aziz Ur Rehman, Mustafa Odabasi, Perihan Kurt-Karakus","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02528-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02528-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pakistan has become a significant recipient of e-waste, largely due to lower labor costs, lack of local environmental regulations, and less stringent international controls. Limited research exists on e-waste generation, management, and pollution in Pakistan. This study aimed to analyze levels of selected heavy metals in human hair samples from workers at informal e-waste processing facilities in six major cities: Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Peshawar. A total of 150 hair samples were collected from workers aged 15 to 60 years and compared with samples from a control group of individuals who had no exposure to e-waste processing for at least the previous five years. Results revealed higher average concentrations (µg/kg) of Zn (577) in the hair of e-waste facility workers, followed by Fe (534), Al (265), and Cu (105). Significant age-related differences were observed for Zn, Fe, Cd, and Pb (p < 0.01), indicating these metals are prevalent during e-waste recycling. Notably, Fe, Zn, and Al concentrations were significantly higher in the 56 + age group, suggesting prolonged exposure. Strong correlations (p < 0.01) were found between pairs such as Al-Cu, Al-Fe, Zn-Cu, and Cd-Pb, which can serve as markers of high exposure due to prolonged e-waste recycling activities. In conclusion, hair analysis is a noninvasive, cost-effective method to provide preliminary information on heavy metal exposure in both control and exposed groups. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the correlation between heavy metals in hair, urine, and blood samples of informal e-waste recyclers to establish exposure routes and adverse health effects on metabolic activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"226"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144141825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Differences in enrichment and soil safety thresholds of five vegetables grown in Cd-polluted soil of Chengdu Plain, China.","authors":"Xin Sun, Yang Gao, Shengwang Pan","doi":"10.1007/s10653-025-02542-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10653-025-02542-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>By examining the differences in cadmium (Cd) enrichment capacity among various vegetable species, this study assessed the health risks associated with consuming the edible parts of vegetables under different levels of soil Cd contamination in the Chengdu Plain. Based on these assessments, corresponding vegetable-soil Cd safety thresholds were established. Five commonly cultivated vegetable species-Lactuca sativa var. longifolia f. Lam. (Romaine lettuce), Lactuca sativa var. ramosa Hort. (cos lettuce), Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino var. communis Tsen et Lee (pak choi), Raphanus sativus L. (radish), and Lactuca sativa var. angustata (lettuce)-were selected as research subjects to compare and analyze their Cd enrichment capacity across different soil Cd contamination levels (0.13, 0.20, 0.32, 0.73, and 1.02 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>). Additionally, potential food safety concerns and health risks associated with Cd accumulation in vegetables were evaluated using the Hazard Quotient (HQi) criterion in human health risk assessment. The potential food safety and health risks associated with cadmium (Cd) contamination in vegetables were evaluated using the Hazard Quotient (HQi) criterion, and corresponding Cd safety thresholds for vegetable-growing soils were established. Health risk assessments based on dietary intake indicated that lettuce posed a higher risk than the other four vegetable species, and children were more vulnerable to Cd exposure than adults when consuming the same amount of vegetables. The Cd enrichment capacity of lettuce was significantly higher than that of Romaine lettuce, cos lettuce, pak choi, and radish (n = 5, P < 0.05). For the Chengdu Plain, the soil Cd safety thresholds were determined to be 0.32 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> for Romaine lettuce, cos lettuce, pak choi, and radish, and 0.20 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> for lettuce. These findings provide a scientific basis for ensuring vegetable quality and safety, refining Cd environmental quality standards for agricultural soils, and promoting the safe utilization of Cd-contaminated farmland.</p>","PeriodicalId":11759,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Geochemistry and Health","volume":"47 6","pages":"229"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144141821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}