Environmental, Ecological, and Health Risks Assessment of Olive Orchard Soils in Izmir Province of Turkey

Soil contamination with trace elements (TEs) become a severe concern, however, the evaluation of ecological and human health problems in intensive agricultural areas remained limited. In this study, Pb, Cr, Ni, Al, Fe, Co, Mn, Cu, Cd, and Zn content of olive orchard soils in Izmir province of Turkey were investigated to the state of pollution, environmental, ecological, and health hazards. Soil samples were taken from 129 olive orchards at 0-30 cm depth. Air-dried samples were eliminated by a 0.5 mm sieve and digested in HNO 3 and HCl (3: 1) at a microwave digestion device. TheTEs concentrations are determined by ICP-OES. Cr and Ni levels were advanced at the limit level. In terms of EF, the soils are significantly contaminated by Cd (7.18), moderately contaminated by Ni (2.94), and Cu (2.56). In terms of Cf, soils were moderately contaminated by Cd (1.96), and in terms of Er moderate by Cd (58.83). Co, Fe, Al, and Mn are the lithogenic origin, and Pb, Zn, Al, Cd, Cu, and Ni are anthropogenic. The HQ, HI, and THI in terms of adults and children were below 1, all TEs via ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation pathways had no serious non-carcinogenic hazards. The harmful health consequences of TEs were accentuated in children. This study may serve as a method for managing the contamination-related risk of olive cultivation areas where agrochemicals are widely employed. Additional studies are recommended about TEs contamination risk and the potential health dangers in olive fruits.