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Heavy Metal Toxicity in Agricultural Soil Due to Rapid Industrialization in Bangladesh: a Review

Ram Proshad*
Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Tapos Kormoker
Department of Emergency Management, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Niaj Mursheed
Department of Emergency Management, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh 3 Department of Horticulture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Md. Monirul Islam
Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Md. Isfatuzzaman Bhuyan
Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Md. Sazedul Islam
Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Tanvir Nahid Mithu
Department of Agronomy, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Heavy metal is a member of a loosely-defined subset of elements that exhibit metallic properties. It mainly includes the transition metals, some metalloids, lanthanides, and actinides. Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the environment, as a result of both natural and anthropogenic activities. They are stable and cannot be destroyed, and therefore tend to accumulate in the environment. In recent years, there has been a substantial concern over the extent of contamination of the environment with toxic elements. Soil pollution caused by rapid industrial activities has become a worrisome phenomenon due to its impact on soil and the environment. Heavy metal pollution in soil arising from industrial discharges significantly poses a great threat to the environment. Heavy metals come to the soil by several ways and the soil becomes toxic which cause serious problem to the environment. In toxic soil, microorganisms cannot persist and there create an imbalance situation in the soil. The main objective of this study was to assess the problem of heavy metal contamination in industrial area soil in Bangladesh with environmental risk assessment.

Keywords: Heavy Metal, Soil; Environmental Pollution; Industry; Bangladesh.

Location: Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Heavy metal

Objectives:

The existing propensity of industrialization and urbanization diminishes the non-renewable resources and interrupts both the soil and surface water quality through the promiscuous disposition of industrial effluents, solid wastes and other toxic wastes, which are the major environmental issues posing threats to the existence of human being (Rahman 2008).

Methodology:

2. Sources and occurrence of heavy metals in the soil Lead is a widely distributed metal, although lead concentrations are low in environments where there has been little human activity. It is used for a number of industrial, domestic and rural purposes for example, in lead batteries and in leaded petrol (WHO 2000). Arsenic occurs naturally in both organic and inorganic forms in soils. Inorganic arsenic is more toxic than organic arsenic. In the past, arsenic compounds were commonly used in drugs, but the more recent major uses are in pesticides, veterinary drugs and industrial applications. Inorganic arsenic is registered for use in timber preservatives and for control of termites in timber. The main source of as in agricultural fields is as contaminated Shallow Tube Well (STW) water that is used for rice cultivation. There is no registered use of as in food crops or for animal production. Both DSMA (disodium methyl arsenate) and MSMA (monosodium methyl arsenate) are registered as herbicides for use in cotton and sugarcane production. Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a severe problem in the east, south-east and south-west parts of Bangladesh. 3. Heavy metals concentration scenario in Bangladesh soils An experiment was conducted near industrial areas of Tangail district, Bangladesh. They reported that the concentration of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd and Pb were 10.41, 12.69, 15.66, 12.15, 3.1 and 7.98 mg/kg, respectively (Proshad et al. 2017). An experiment for determining the arsenic status of industrially polluted soils around Dhaka City and reported a higher concentration of arsenic (> 20 μg g^-1) in soils particularly near Tannery industry (Nuruzzaman 1998). The as status of five districts of Gangetic floodplains and found that as levels ranged from 2.09 –11.37 mg kg^-1. Among the five districts, the soils of the Pabna and Gopalganj districts had relatively lower levels of As compared to Rajbari, Faridpur and Chapai Nawabgonj districts. The highest soil-As concentration of 11.37 mg kg^-1 was found in the soil of Rajbari followed by 10.44 mg kg-1 in soil from Faridpur (Islam et al. 2004). 4. Effects of heavy metals on soil and environment Heavy metal contaminated soil adversely affects the whole ecosystem when these toxic heavy metals migrate into groundwater or are taken up by flora and fauna, which may result in a great threat to ecosystems due to translocation and bioaccumulation. Heavy metals are potentially toxic to crop plants, animals, and human beings when the contaminated soils are used for crop production. Environmental pollution of the biosphere with heavy metals due to intensive agricultural and other anthropogenic activities poses serious problems for secure usage of farming land. Soil is a very important natural resource to man as it is a source of his life on this planet. Without soil, the earth would be as barren as the moon hence lifeless (Misra and Mani 2009). Despite its importance, soil is often contaminated by human activities and this is reflected in the high horizontal and vertical variability brought about by the anthropogenic influence on soil formation and development (Fong et al. 2008). A variety of human activities including municipal waste disposal, industrial emissions, military testing and agricultural practices have left their impacts on soils in the form of elevated and high level of toxicants (Van and Krivolutsky 1996). Materials that find their entry into the soil system persist and accumulate in toxic concentrations becoming sources of pollution in the soil (Misra and Mani 2009). The concentration of heavy metals in soil and their impact on ecosystems can be influenced by many factors such as the parent rock, climate and anthropogenic activities (Jia et al. 2010). Among the pollutants that persist and accumulate in the soils include; inorganic toxic compounds for example fertilizers, organic wastes, organic pesticides and radio cucleides. The soil is thus becoming increasingly polluted with chemicals and other pollutants which can reach the food chain, surface water or groundwater and ultimately be ingested by man (Misra and Mani 2009).

Source of Information: International Journal of Advanced Geosciences, 6 (1) (2018) 83-88

Article Link (Online Journal): doi: 10.14419/ijag.v6i1.9174

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

One of the highlights of this study with respect to heavy metals in soil from the industrial area of Bangladesh was the recurrence of relatively elevated levels. It is of interest to fully resolve the metal contaminations. Globally everyone is potentially vulnerable to the toxic effects of heavy metals. Many toxic heavy metals are ubiquitous in our environment. Metals and their compounds present in the soil fractions vary in the degree of mobility. The bioavailability depends on physical, chemical, biological processes and interaction between them. Various anthropogenic activities without taking any safety measures have caused the problem of heavy metal pollution in the soils which is not going to disappear overnight; on the contrary, it will remain as a legacy of mass industrial and anthropogenic activity for many generations and is likely to escalate further in future. In Bangladesh, heavy metal contamination in soil may cause a serious threat to ecology unless a proper strategy will be adopted. The government should have to take effective measures in relation to the proper scientific assessment by the scientists and researchers regarding the monitoring and the impact of industrial activities on metal pollution in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal