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Semerjian L, Adeniji AO, Shanableh A, Semreen MH, Mousa M, Abass K, Okoh A. Assessment of elemental chemistry, spatial distribution, and potential risks of road-deposited dusts in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29088. [PMID: 38617947 PMCID: PMC11015408 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Road dust is a major source of pollution in the environment, carrying different pollutants, including heavy metals and metalloids, from one location to another. This study assesses the concentrations of eight heavy metals and one metalloid (Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, and As) in dust samples collected from sixty-eight streets of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates using ICP-OES, as well as investigates their effects on both the environment and humans. Mean concentrations of the elements in μg/g across the sites were 392 ± 46 (Zn), 68.28 ± 11.3 (Pb), 1437 ± 67 (Mn), 39,481 ± 4611 (Fe), 460 ± 31 (Cr), 150 ± 44 (Cu), 1.25 ± 0.65 (Cd), 856 ± 72 (Ni), and 0.97 ± 0.28 (As). The Cdeg and ERI calculated from the study were 54.79 and 573, respectively, suggesting varying pollution levels. The highest contributions were from Ni, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Pb, especially in areas with heavy traffic. The non-carcinogenic risk assessments were generally low for the three routes of exposure, except HQoral that was slightly higher for children. Similarly, none of the elements exhibited any carcinogenic risk except chromium. Overall, the cancer risk is considered low. In view of the limited studies from UAE in relation to the metal content of road-deposited dusts, the current study serves as novel knowledge, especially in the context of geographical areas with a higher occurrence of sandstorms and the presence of particulate matter. The study also adds to the global understanding of the contribution of street dust to environmental pollution and its implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Semerjian
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, P. O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute of Science and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abiodun O. Adeniji
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, National University of Lesotho, P. O. Roma 180, Roma, Lesotho
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa
| | - Abdallah Shanableh
- Research Institute of Science and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad H. Semreen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muath Mousa
- Research Institute of Science and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaled Abass
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, P. O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute of Science and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Anthony Okoh
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, P. O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute of Science and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa
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Liu J, Zheng Q, Pei S, Li J, Ma L, Zhang L, Niu J, Tian T. Ecological and health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils from northern China. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 196:99. [PMID: 38157088 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12255-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Soil pollution by heavy metals can cause continuing damage to ecosystems and the human body. In this study, we collected nine fresh topsoil samples and 18 maize samples (including nine leaf samples and nine corn samples) from agricultural soils in the Baiyin mining areas. The results showed that the order of heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in agricultural soils was as follows: Zn (377.40) > Pb (125.06) > Cu (75.06) > Ni (28.29) > Cd (5.46) > Hg (0.37). Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb exceeded the Chinese risk limit for agricultural soil pollution. The average the pollution load index (4.39) was greater than 3, indicating a heavy contamination level. The element that contributed the most to contamination and high ecological risk in soil was Cd. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that the sources of Ni, Cd, Cu, and Zn in the soil were primarily mixed, involving both industrial and agricultural activities, whereas the sources of Hg and Pb included both industrial and transportation activities. Adults and children are not likely to experience non-carcinogenic impacts from the soil in this region. Nonetheless, it was important to be aware of the elevated cancer risk presented by Cd, Pb, and especially Ni. The exceedance rates of Cd and Pb in corn were 66.67% and 33.3%, respectively. The results of this research provide data to improve soil protection, human health monitoring, and crop management in the Baiyin district.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangyun Liu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, The People's Republic of China
| | - Qiwen Zheng
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, The People's Republic of China
| | - Shuwei Pei
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, The People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Li
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, The People's Republic of China
| | - Li Ma
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, The People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, The People's Republic of China
| | - Jingping Niu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, The People's Republic of China.
| | - Tian Tian
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, The People's Republic of China.
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