Investigation of heavy metal contamination and ecological and health risks in farmland soils from southeastern phosphate plateaus of Khouribga (Morocco)

The present study was conducted in the SE area of phosphate plateaus (Khouribga) located central Morocco. It attempted to assess heavy metal (HM) (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn) contamination farmland soils and their potential ecological hazard non-non-carcinogenic risks using various pollution indices, magnetic susceptibility (MS), Geographical Information System (GIS) methods. A total 41 soil samples were collected analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), grain-size, organic matter (OM), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), MS HM elements. results showed a mean dominance order Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Cd where concentrations HMs, except exceeded local background Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) World Health (WHO) permissible guidelines. values geo-accumulation index (Igeo), nemerow (PI), load (PLI) revealed significant high level soils. spatial distribution pattern similar those attesting ability method mapping contaminated Agricultural mining activities geologic materials main sources accumulation. According risk (RI) (195.93<RI<1092.53), had moderate (65.85%) (34.15%) risk. (HI) that adults children are not exposed non-carcinogenic from studied apart two Cd posed health compared other HMs. statistical polluted by anthropogenic activities. Accordingly, effective agricultural practices respect environment, including reduction inputs as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides should be required guarantee safety cropland residents area. Hence, findings this provided some useful information control management