International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN. 

The comparative study of Heavy Metal contamination in Seasonal Agricultural crop soils

    ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Zoology, D.B.S. College, CSJM University, Kanpur, UP, India
  • 2Department of Zoology, D.B.S. College, CSJM University, Kanpur, UP, India

Res. J. Agriculture & Forestry Sci., Volume 14, Issue (1), Pages 1-5, January,8 (2026)

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils has emerged as critical ecosystem concern affecting soil fertility and crop productivity. The results revealed significant disruptions in nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, microbial biomass reduction, and a decline in crop yield. These findings highlight the need for sustainable land-use remediation and management strategies to mitigate heavy metal pollution and preserve long-term soil fertility. The discharge of untreated industrial effluents into agricultural lands has led to an alarming rise in heavy metal contamination. This study investigates the effects of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) accumulation on soil nutrient dynamics, pH, microbial activity, and overall crop yield. Soil samples were collected from farmlands located near industrial zones, and physico-chemical properties were analyzed alongside plant tissue metal concentrations. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing proper wastewater treatment and monitoring strategies to protect agricultural productivity and soil health. The level of heavy metal pollution and its effects on soil properties across Rabi and Kharif cropping seasons. Seasonal sampling of soils from agricultural fields near industrial zones was conducted, and concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Cu were measured. The study found seasonal variation in metal accumulation, with higher concentrations during the Kharif season due to increased water runoff and leaching. Enzymatic activity and microbial biomass were also found to be seasonally affected. These findings are vital for designing crop rotation and soil management strategies in polluted regions.

References

  1. Alloway, B. J. (2013)., Heavy metals in soils: Trace metals and metalloids in soils and their bioavailability (3rd ed.). Springer.,
  2. Nagajyoti, P. C., Lee, K. D., & Sreekanth, T. V. M. (2010)., Heavy metals, occurrence and toxicity for plants: A review., Environmental Chemistry Letters, 8(3), 199–216.
  3. Ali, H., Khan, E. and Ilahi, I. (2019)., Environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology of hazardous heavy metals: Environmental persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation., Journal of Chemistry, 6730305.
  4. Allengebawy, A., Abdelkhalek, S. T., Khedr, M. E. and Saad, M. A. (2021)., The environmental impacts of pesticides and heavy metals on health, safety, and the environment: A review., Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 15, 100408.
  5. Gupta, N., Khan, D. N., and Sharma, V. (2020)., Seasonal variation in heavy metal contamination in agricultural soil and groundwater., Environmental Earth Sciences, 79(20), 465.
  6. Sharma, R., and Raju, N. J. (2022)., Spatial-temporal variability of heavy metals in agricultural soils under different cropping seasons., Environmental Pollution, 293, 118586.
  7. Kumar, A., Maiti, S. K., and Bera, T. (2016)., Seasonal dynamics of heavy metals in agricultural soil and plants irrigated with treated sewage water., Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188(11), 622.
  8. Liu, H., Yang, X., Liu, G., Liang, C., Hu, y., Christie, P. and Zhang, J. (2020)., Long-term heavy metal contamination reshapes soil microbial communities and functional potential., Science of the Total Environment, 724, 153829.
  9. Isobeme, A. (2021)., Effect of heavy metals on activities of soil microorganisms., In Microbial rejuvenation of polluted environment (pp. 23–38). Springer, Singapore.
  10. Khan, Z. I., Ahmad, K., and Hussain, A. (2021)., Accumulation and health risk assessment of heavy metals in food crops from wastewater-irrigated soil., Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 12345–12356.
  11. Srivastava, A., Yadav, S., and Singh, R. K. (2023)., Impact of industrial pollution on soil and crop contamination in peri-urban agricultural zones: A Kanpur case study., Journal of Environmental Management, 331, 117284.
  12. Kang, C. H., Kwon, Y. J., and So, J. S. (2021)., Soil acidity enhances bioavailability and mobility of heavy metals in contaminated agricultural soils., Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 11567–11576.
  13. Tate, R.L. (2004)., Soil Microbiology., 2nd ed. Hoboken, N.J and Wiley.