Journal of hazardous materials advances最新文献

{"title":"The response of Panax notoginseng to combined microplastics and cadmium stress and its mechanism of rhizosphere microorganisms and root metabolites","authors":"Zuran Li ,&nbsp;Xueqi Zhou ,&nbsp;Xinyue Mei ,&nbsp;Shengchao Yang ,&nbsp;Yanqun Zu","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics coexist with cadmium in agricultural soils, and their complex effects on crop growth and cadmium accumulation have garnered increasing attention. Pot experiments were conducted to elucidate the response mechanisms of rhizosphere microorganisms and root metabolites of <em>Panax notoginseng</em> (Burk.) F. H. Chen to polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) at concentrations of 0.1 %, 1 %, and 2 %, as well as cadmium (Cd) at levels of 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ and 6.0 mg kg⁻¹. The results indicated that: (1) The biomass of shoots and roots under the treatment of 0.1 % PE-MPs combined with 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ Cd increased by 18.1 % and 137.5 %, respectively, compared to the treatment with only 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ Cd; conversely, biomass decreased under the treatment of 0.1 % PE-MPs combined with 6 mg kg⁻¹ Cd. (2) The root diameter increased with increase of PE-MPs treatment concentrations. (3) Under 2 % PE-MPs + 0.6 mg kg^-1 Cd treatment, the Cd content in fibrous roots was 1.89 times of that under 0.6 mg kg^-1 Cd treatment. The migration was inhibited from fibrous roots to main root or from main root to shoot under 2 % PE + Cd treatment. (4) The presence of PE-MPs influenced secondary metabolite pathways including pantothenate biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis along with sulfur relay systems, while up-regulating ABC transporters based on KEGG analysis. (5) Under 2 % PE-MPs + Cd treatment, the relative abundances of rhizosphere microorganism <em>Candidatur koribacter, Bradyrhizobium, Ktedonosporobacter, Pedosphaera, Novosplingobium</em> and <em>Chthoniobacter</em> at the genus level and <em>Ktedonosporobacter rubrisoli, Chthoniobacter flavus, Silvibacterium bohemicum, Novosplingobium flavum</em> and <em>Fimbriilglobus ruber</em> at the species level increased compared to 1 % PE-MPs + Cd treatment. There was negative correlated between the relative abundance of <em>Ohtaekwangia koreensis</em> and Cd accumulation in fibrous roots. In general, the biomass and accumulation of Cd in roots of <em>P. notoginseng</em> under the combined microplastics and Cd stress depended on the concentrations of PE-MPs, and the roots developed resistance by synthesizing secondary metabolites and recruiting <em>Ohtaekwangia koreensis</em> in the rhizosphere.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100734"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143906285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gamma spectroscopy analysis of agricultural soils in Jazan: Radiological safety and environmental impact","authors":"Amel Azazi ,&nbsp;Entesar H. EL-Araby ,&nbsp;Ahlam El-Barbary ,&nbsp;Rym Hassani ,&nbsp;E. El-Bialy ,&nbsp;Doaa H. Shabaan","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100729","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100729","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The research investigates the levels of radioactivity naturally present in agricultural soils from Jazan region of Saudi Arabia using gamma transcriptional spectrometry NaI(Tl) to measure the activity of uranium -238 (U-238), thorium-232 (Th-232), and potassium-40 (K-40). Analysis of a total of 33 soil samples gathered from diverse agricultural sites revealed average activity concentrations of 35.5 ± 1.26, 22.94±1.35 and 11.20±0.92 Bq/kg for U-238, Th-232, and K-40, respectively. While U-238 levels slightly exceeded the world average, the total radionuclide concentrations remained within internationally accepted safety. The radiation hazard indices, including the external hazard index (Hex=0.18±0.01), the internal hazard index (Hin=0.27±0.01), the equivalent radium activity (Raeq=56.85±1.55 Bq/kg), the average absorbed dose rate (Dab=25.32±0.14 nGy/h), and the gamma index (Iγ=0.46±0.03), were calculated and found to be well below their permissible limits. The results indicate minimal radiological hazards associated with the studied soils, confirming their suitability for agricultural use. The observed differences in radionuclide concentrations and hazard indices across the sampling sites highlight the influence of local geological structure, agricultural practices, and environmental factors on the distribution of natural radioactivity. This research provides a critical baseline for ongoing soil radiation monitoring in the region, contributing valuable data to global efforts in radiation safety assessment and sustainable agricultural management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100729"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143906284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of current status, challenges, and future of the metallic amalgams","authors":"Ehsan Niknam,&nbsp;Homam Naffakh-Moosavy","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100732","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100732","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite many improvements that have been made in dental restoration fillers, amalgam is still used in some countries as a suitable choice for tooth restoration, especially in large cavities, due to its relatively low technical sensitivity, remarkable mechanical properties, clinical durability, and low cost. The current review tries to discuss the status, challenges, capabilities, and future of metallic amalgams while attending to solutions to decrease the side effects of mercury in the case of health and aesthetic issues. All aspects of mercury-containing amalgams are reviewed, along with suggestions for reducing or eliminating mercury in the amalgam while maintaining its properties. Some solutions such as using nanostructured amalgams, adding non-metallic nanoparticles, and developing new mercury-free alloys are suggested. These remedies decrease amalgam toxicity and improve the aesthetic issues of dark metallic amalgams.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100732"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143899747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a novel co-composting system for empty fruit bunches using UASB-HCPB fermentor-derived effluent for sustainable palm oil waste management: Design, performance evaluation, and kinetic study","authors":"Rivaldi Sidabutar ,&nbsp;Bambang Trisakti ,&nbsp;Irvan Irvan ,&nbsp;Siti Fatimah Batubara ,&nbsp;Noersukma Dwi Gusty ,&nbsp;Hani Suhastifa Rambe ,&nbsp;Mhd. Rivaldi Syahputra ,&nbsp;Michael Michael ,&nbsp;Muhammad Syaifan ,&nbsp;Emir Rizal Effendi ,&nbsp;Vikram Alexander ,&nbsp;Yasmin Nabilah ,&nbsp;M. ThoriqAl Fath ,&nbsp;Nisaul Fadilah Dalimunthe ,&nbsp;Martiaman Sijabat ,&nbsp;Syafriandy Syafriandy ,&nbsp;Mohd Sobri Takriff","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100730","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100730","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The exponential growth of Indonesia’s palm oil industry with annual production of 43.5 million tons generates substantial biomass waste, particularly empty fruit bunches (EFB), necessitating innovative waste management solutions. To address this challenge, an integrated approach to waste valorization through co-composting technologies was developed to transform agricultural waste into a valuable resource. This study introduces a novel cylindrical composting system integrating EFB with UASB-HCPB fermentor-derived effluent (FDE) as a co-composting accelerator. The study investigates the correlation between composter capacity (2, 5, and 10 kg) and process parameters for enhanced compost quality. The methodological framework encompassed optimum EFB size of ±2 cm, strategic FDE supplementation with moisture regulation (55–65%), and comprehensive physicochemical analysis including temperature, nutrient profiles, and degradation kinetics. A first-order model describing the decomposition rate constant (k = -2 × 10^–5C² + 2 × 10^–4C + 3 × 10^–4) was derived for precise prediction of organic matter degradation across varying composter capacities. The results showed that the 10 kg capacity demonstrated superior performance achieving notable parameters with temperature (30°C), moisture content (55.22%), pH (7.5), volatile suspended solids (208.011 mg/L), organic matter (94.23%), electrical conductivity (2.40 dS/m), water holding capacity (60%), and C/N ratio (17.20) with superior macro and micronutrient profiles (N: 1.69%, K₂O: 5.44%, P₂O₅: 0.63%). The organic matter degradation kinetics showed good correlation models across composters capacities, resulting in R² of 0.8800 for 2 kg composter, 0.9094 for 5 kg composter, and 0.9780 for 10 kg composter. The resultant compost characteristics exhibited adherence with Indonesian National Standard (SNI 19–7030–2004) specifications. This innovative approach presents a significant advancement in sustainable palm oil waste management for both environmental and agronomic benefits through efficient resource recovery and valorization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100730"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143903720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Harnessing the potential of microalgae in sequestration of CO2 emissions: Removal mechanisms, optimization strategies, and bioenergy production","authors":"Adegoke Isiaka Adetunji ,&nbsp;S'fiso Thuthukani Gumbi ,&nbsp;Mariana Erasmus","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100722","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100722","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rise in anthropogenic activities increases the release of greenhouse gases, causing serious hazards to immediate environments and public health. Among the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide contributes significantly towards massive emissions that eventually lead to global warming. As a result, decarbonization of carbon from polluted spaces (e.g., the atmosphere) is imperative. Microalgae serve as a promising, economical, sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly bio-factory for the sequestration and conversion of CO₂ into biomass in the presence of sunlight. The microalgal CO₂ fixation efficiency depends on temperature, pH, CO₂ concentration, light intensity, and culture medium. Strategies such as random mutagenesis, targeted genetic modifications, and the use of nanoparticles, phytohormones, and artificial intelligence are employed to enhance CO₂ capture by microalgae. Microalgal biomass is a vital feedstock for the production of beneficial bioenergy, including biodiesel, biogas, bioethanol, and biohydrogen. Thus, this review focuses on the mitigation of CO₂ emissions using microalgae. In addition, it elucidates bioprocess parameters that influence CO₂ fixation as well as the technologies that can be applied for improved CO₂ capture by microalgae coupled with biofuels that are formed from microalgal biomass. Techno-economic analysis of carbon sequestration by microalgae is also discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100722"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143860705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing spatial distribution of heavy metal contamination in groundwater and associated human health risk in the Chittagong industrial area, Bangladesh","authors":"Md. Swadhin Hossain ,&nbsp;Ashfaqur Rahman ,&nbsp;Elsai Mati Asefa ,&nbsp;Mahfuza Parveen ,&nbsp;Md. Reaz Uddin","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100728","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100728","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heavy metal contamination of groundwater presents serious environmental and public health challenges, especially in industrial areas. This study was conducted to address the gap in understanding the health risks of heavy metal exposure in industrial regions, specifically in the Chittagong industrial zone in Bangladesh. A total of 34 groundwater samples were analyzed using indices such as the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI), and health risk metrics, including Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Cancer Risk (CR). The findings revealed widespread contamination, with 53 % of samples exceeding the HPI threshold, making the water unsuitable for drinking. Key contaminants identified include arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), with arsenic posing the most significant risk. The study highlights the underexplored health impacts of these contaminants in the Chittagong industrial region, with arsenic levels significantly contributing to high HQ values, where 82.35 % of children samples and 61.76 % of adults samples exceeded safe limits. The HI further indicated severe non-carcinogenic risks, with 67.65 % of samples for children and 47.06 % for adults surpassing the safe threshold. Carcinogenic risk assessments found that arsenic poses the highest risk for both children and adults, with mean CR values of 2.04 × 10^–3 for children and 6.70 × 10^–3 for adults, both above the acceptable limit. The spatial distribution maps highlight key hotspots, indicating that the southern region experienced the highest levels of contamination. The present study contributes to address the significant health risks posed by heavy metal contamination, emphasizing the urgent need for mitigation measures in industrial regions to protect vulnerable populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100728"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143873759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A scoping review on the European Union agricultural plastic waste management strategies: focusing on liquefaction","authors":"Chrysanthos Maraveas ,&nbsp;John N. Hahladakis","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agricultural plastic waste (APW) poses a growing global environmental threat, with Europe generating over 1.3 million tonnes annually. This paper presents a multidisciplinary scoping review of agriplastic waste management strategies, emphasizing policies, technological advancements, and socio-economic factors within the European Union. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated approach—bridging environmental science, engineering, policy analysis, and behavioral studies—to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of various APW strategies. While mechanical recycling remains cost-effective (€300–€600 per ton) for clean, homogeneous plastics, it is limited by contamination issues in mixed waste. Chemical recycling methods—such as glycolysis and methanolysis—are suitable for specific polymers like PET, with potential emission reductions up to 60 % compared to virgin plastic production, though economic viability remains a barrier. Energy recovery techniques, including incineration and pyrolysis, are applicable to heterogeneous waste but emit hazardous pollutants such as dioxins and furans. A key focus is on liquefaction, a promising but underexplored method, which can convert APW into low-carbon fuels with up to 70 % lower lifecycle emissions; however, its commercial scalability is currently constrained by high capital costs and technical challenges. The study highlights that optimal APW strategies depend on plastic type, intended product, environmental impact, and economic considerations. It also underscores the critical role of EU policy, producer responsibility schemes, and public awareness in fostering sustainable management. Ultimately, this work advocates for a tailored, holistic approach to APW, aligning technological innovation with regulatory and behavioral interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100727"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143873760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of a low-density polyethylene-oxidizing enzyme in Pseudomonas aeruginosa via transcriptomic and proteomic analysis","authors":"Hong Rae Kim ,&nbsp;Ye Eun Lee ,&nbsp;Eunkyo Lee ,&nbsp;Dong-Eun Suh ,&nbsp;Donggeun Choi ,&nbsp;Sukkyoo Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plastics have become indispensable in modern industries; however, their resistance to natural degradation poses environmental challenges. Biological degradation technologies employing microorganisms offer promising solutions. Here, we analyzed the transcriptome and proteome of <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>, a plastic-degrading microorganism found in the gut of superworms, to identify the genes and enzymes upregulated during low-density polyethylene (LDPE) degradation. Functional analyses of these upregulated genes and enzymes using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology databases revealed an increase in lipid and hydrophobic amino acid metabolism, suggesting their involvement in LDPE degradation. Based on these analyses, we identified phenylalanine monooxygenase (PAH), which is capable of oxidizing plastics. To investigate the involvement of the enzyme in LDPE degradation, <em>phhA</em> was transformed into <em>Escherichia coli</em>, and the enzymes were produced and purified. The purified enzymes were then reacted with LDPE and analyzed. The results revealed the formation of hydroxyl (-OH) and C<img>O groups on the LDPE surface after treatment with PAH, confirming its ability to oxidize LDPE. LDPE is highly hydrophobic and exhibits extremely low reactivity, making it resistant to degradation. The PAH introduces oxygen-containing functional groups into LDPE, increasing its reactivity and thereby facilitating its biodegradation. In this study, we discovered an enzyme capable of catalyzing the oxidation step (the initial stage of LDPE biodegradation) and experimentally validated its activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100726"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143860703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation of Ceramsite from heavy metal contained municipal solid waste incineration fly ash synergistically with Silicon/Aluminum-containing waste","authors":"Anlong Han,&nbsp;Ruixue Wang,&nbsp;Chenglong Zhang,&nbsp;Haifeng Wang,&nbsp;Zhihuan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The harmless treatment and recycling of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) is a hot research concern in recent years. MSWI FA with high chlorine content, could be significantly reduced by washing treatment in water. MSWI FA after water de-chlorination is called water-washed fly ash (WFA). WFA is rich in calcium, up to 35 %-40 %, may be used to produce lightweight aggregate products by high-temperature sintering. However, silicon/aluminum content of the WFA is insufficient. Therefore, the silicon/aluminum-containing materials have to be blended. Construction waste – sand-washing mud (SM), which is rich in silicon and aluminum, and is also inherently non-toxic. The wastes were mixed and complementary to each other enabling synergistic co-disposal. The materials’ mass ratios were studied. Sintering temperature (850 °C, 950 °C, 1050 °C, 1150 °C), sintering time (30 min) on the physical and chemical properties of ceramic granules (CGs) were also investigated. The experimental results showed that under the optimized ratio (Ca: Si: Al=1.8:3:1), the best prevailing condition (calcined at 1150 °C for 30 min). The numerical tube pressure of CGs was 4.23 MPa, water absorption at one hour was 3.01 %, bulk density was 690kg/m³, and the leaching toxicity was significantly lower than the Chinese national standard (GB 5085.3–2007). It accorded with the high strength lightweight aggregate for building materials, the strength grade was 25 (GB/T 17,431.1–2010). This study provided a theoretical basis and practical experience for the harmless treatment and recycling of MSWI FA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100725"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143860704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ecological and Human Health Hazards Evaluation of Toxic Metal Contamination in Agricultural Lands Using Multi-Index and Geostatistical Techniques across the Mnasra Area of Morocco's Gharb Plain Region","authors":"Hatim Sanad ,&nbsp;Rachid Moussadek ,&nbsp;Latifa Mouhir ,&nbsp;Majda Oueld Lhaj ,&nbsp;Khadija Zahidi ,&nbsp;Houria Dakak ,&nbsp;Khadija Manhou ,&nbsp;Abdelmjid Zouahri","doi":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heavy metal (HM) contamination in agricultural soils is a pressing environmental concern with significant ecological and human health implications. This research focused on assessing the ecological and health hazards posed by HMs (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) in agricultural land within Morocco's Mnasra area in the Gharb Plains. A total of thirty surface soil samples were taken from selected sites and analyzed using a multi-index integration approach, multivariate statistical analysis (MSA), and geostatistical techniques. The results showed substantial variability in HM concentrations, with As exceeded safety limits in 75% of samples, while Cd surpassed regulatory thresholds in 62% of cases. The geo-accumulation index (I_geo) indicated moderate to strong contamination for As, while the enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) highlighted significant contributions from anthropogenic activities. As and Cd pose the highest ecological risks, with RI values of 4623.77 and 909, respectively. The pollution load index (PLI) ranged from 1.29 to 4.43, with 60% of soil samples classified under moderate pollution. The human health risk assessment (HHRA) identified potential non-carcinogenic risks, particularly for children, with a hazard index (HI) exceeding the critical threshold (HI &gt; 1) for Cr (1.24) and Pb (1.11). Statistical analysis revealed strong correlations among certain metals, suggesting common sources. Geostatistical analysis identified spatial hotspots, especially near landfills and intensive farming areas. The results provide essential guidance for stakeholders involved in agricultural land management, underlining the importance of focused remediation measures and the continuation of research efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of hazardous materials advances","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100724"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143854824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}