Tracing potentially toxic metals from water to soil, pearl millet, and cow milk: Food chain risks and safety concerns
Kuwait Journal of Science, cilt.53, sa.4, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 53 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.kjs.2026.100654
- Dergi Adı: Kuwait Journal of Science
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Arab World Research Source, MathSciNet, zbMATH, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Potentially toxic metals, Roadside agroecosystems, Health risk assessment, Pennisetum glaucum
- Uşak Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Agroecosystems receive significant inputs of potentially toxic metals from traffic activities, yet current understanding of their movement through the water-fodder-livestock pathway is limited. The focus of this study was the identification, characterization, and calculation of risk for Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Co, and Mo found in irrigation water, Pennisetum glaucum , and cow milk from both roadside and non-roadside agricultural areas. Quantitative analysis of these metals was performed on samples collected via acid digestion of each respective environment and subsequent determination of concentrations via atomic absorption spectrophotometry, with rigorous quality control procedures in place. The results of the analysis consistently showed higher metal concentrations in roadside fodder relative to their respective controls, but metals in wastewater are still below international safety standards. In milk, metal concentrations remained low, with Pb (0.0003–0.0016 mg/L), Cd (0.001–0.0024 mg/L), Zn (0.24–0.29 mg/L), Fe (0.0267–0.0406 mg/L), and Cu (0.0005–0.001 mg/L) all below established safety limits despite significant site-related differences. Copper emerged as the most critical element, with health risk index (HRI) values exceeding unity at specific roadside locations, indicating a localized health concern. Thus, despite generally low metal transfer to milk, the elevated Cu risk identified in roadside fodders underscores the need for targeted risk assessment to safeguard livestock-derived food products.