Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Agricultural Soils of Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia

A risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia, reveals that while most PTE levels remain below maximum admissible concentrations, certain areas exhibit significant enrichment and ecological risks. Mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) show notable anthropogenic sources, likely linked to fertilizer and insecticide use, whereas other elements like zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) originate primarily from natural crustal materials. The study analyzed 30 soil samples from palm fields irrigated with groundwater and treated sewage water, employing contamination indicators and multivariate methods to assess environmental risks. Satellite imagery also documented changes in vegetative and residential areas between 1985 and 2021.

Alharbi, T., & El-Sorogy, A. S. (2022). Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Agricultural Soils of Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia. Sustainability, 15(1), 659. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010659