Elemental Distribution in Soils, Irrigation Water, and Vegetable Seeds and Associated Health Risk Assessment in Khairpur Mir’s, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigated the concentrations of essential macronutrients (Na, K, Mg, Ca) and trace elements (Al, Zn, Mn, Se, Sn, Cr) in seed samples of okra (Abelmoschusesculentus (L.) Moench), brinjal (Solanummelongena L.), cucumber (Cucumissativus L.), Indian squash (Benincasafistulosa), and bitter gourd (Momordicacharantia L.), soil, and water samples were collected. All samples were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) method. The highest concentrations in seeds were observed for Na (525.51 mg/kg in okra) and K (1028.53 mg/kg in cucumber). The study also found a wide range of concentrations for Mg, Ca, and other trace elements. To evaluate human health risks, the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Total Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Total Cancer Risk (TCR) were calculated. The EDI values for all analyzed elements were found to be low, contributing insignificantly to daily nutritional needs. The Total Hazard Quotient (THQ) for Zn, Mn, Se, and Cr ranged from 3.16×10⁻³ to 8.47×10⁻², and the Cancer Risk for Cr was between 5.00×10⁻⁷ and 4.15×10⁻⁵, both below safety thresholds.The consumption of these vegetable seeds poses negligible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks from Zn, Mn, Se, and Cr.