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<p>Pollution of cultivated soils from heavy metals (HMs) is a global issue that threatens soil quality, food security, and human health. This study assessed HM concentrations from 60 soil samples from various cocoa farms in the Bono Region of Ghana. Additionally, the study determined the impact of these metals using pollution indices, eco-environmental risk assessments, and health risk assessments. The results indicated that the concentrations of the eight selected HMs surpassed their respective reference background values and were ordered as: Fe &gt; Cu &gt; Zn &gt; Cd &gt; As &gt; Pb &gt; Ni &gt; Hg. The concentrations of Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were lower than the WHO/FAO soil quality standards. Yet, the levels of As, Cd, Cu, and Fe surpassed the quality standards by 166.40, 14,425.00, 405.36, and 320.97%, respectively. The farmland soils were significantly enriched with As, Cd, Hg, and Pb, indicating a very high level of soil contamination based on their CF values. The study revealed that soil contamination from HMs, especially Cd can adversely affect soil biota and the ecosystem based on the computed ecological risk, toxic risk index, and modified hazard quotient. The higher hazard quotient (HI &gt; 1) and total cancer risk (TCR &gt; 1E−04) from HM in the children compared to the adults denote non-carcinogenic and cancer health risk in the children population. From the results, the HMs in the cocoa soils have compromised eco-environmental and human health, calling for prompt action to restore soil quality and enhanced policies on agrochemicals and fertilizer usage.</p>

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Pollution evaluation and risk assessment of toxic metals in soils under cocoa production in Bono Region, Ghana

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月11日

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  • Alex Amerh Agbeshie,
  • Genevieve Mensah,
  • Vicentia Amoako,
  • Precious Baryeh,
  • Adisa Zibilila,
  • Richard Awuah

摘要

Pollution of cultivated soils from heavy metals (HMs) is a global issue that threatens soil quality, food security, and human health. This study assessed HM concentrations from 60 soil samples from various cocoa farms in the Bono Region of Ghana. Additionally, the study determined the impact of these metals using pollution indices, eco-environmental risk assessments, and health risk assessments. The results indicated that the concentrations of the eight selected HMs surpassed their respective reference background values and were ordered as: Fe > Cu > Zn > Cd > As > Pb > Ni > Hg. The concentrations of Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were lower than the WHO/FAO soil quality standards. Yet, the levels of As, Cd, Cu, and Fe surpassed the quality standards by 166.40, 14,425.00, 405.36, and 320.97%, respectively. The farmland soils were significantly enriched with As, Cd, Hg, and Pb, indicating a very high level of soil contamination based on their CF values. The study revealed that soil contamination from HMs, especially Cd can adversely affect soil biota and the ecosystem based on the computed ecological risk, toxic risk index, and modified hazard quotient. The higher hazard quotient (HI > 1) and total cancer risk (TCR > 1E−04) from HM in the children compared to the adults denote non-carcinogenic and cancer health risk in the children population. From the results, the HMs in the cocoa soils have compromised eco-environmental and human health, calling for prompt action to restore soil quality and enhanced policies on agrochemicals and fertilizer usage.