Assessment of heavy metal distribution and bioaccumulation in soil and plants near coal mining areas: implications for environmental pollution and health risks.

ABSTRACT

Monitoring heavy metals (HMs) across source distance and depth distribution near coal mining sites is essential for preventing environmental pollution and health risks. This study investigated the distribution of selected HMs, cadmium (Cd2+), chromium (Cr2+), copper (Cu2+), manganese (Mn2+), nickel (Ni2+), lead (Pb2+), and zinc (Zn2+), in soil samples collected from ten sites (S-1-S-10) at two different depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) and distances of 50, 100, and 200 m from a mining source. Additionally, three plant species, Prosopis spp., Justicia spp., and wheat, were collected to assess HM bioavailability and leaf accumulation. Coal mine activities' impact on soil properties and their HM associations were also explored. Results reveal HM concentrations except for Cr2+ exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) limits. In surface soil, Cd2+ (58%), Cu2+ (93%), Mn2+ (68%), Ni2+ (80%), Pb2+ (35%), and Zn2+ (88%) surpassed permissible limits. Subsurface soil also exhibited elevated Cd2+ (53%), Cu2+ (83%), Mn2+ (60%), Ni2+ (80%), Pb2+ (35%), and Zn2+ (77%). Plant species displayed varying HM levels, exceeding permissible limits, with average concentrations of 1.4, 1.34, 1.42, 4.1, 2.74, 2.0, and 1.98 mg kg-1 for Cd2+, Pb2+, Cr2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+, respectively. Bioaccumulation factors were highest in wheat, Prosopis spp., and Justicia spp. Source distance and depth distribution significantly influenced soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). Soil pH and EC increased with an increase in soil depth, while SOC decreased. Pearson correlation analysis revealed varying relationships between soil properties and HMs, showing a considerably negative correlation. Concentrations of HMs decreased with increasing depth and distance from mining activities, validated by regression analysis. Findings suggest crops from these soils may pose health risks for consumption.