Heavy metal (HM) contamination in agricultural soils and crops pose serious threats to agricultural productivity, environmental quality, and human health. Rapid industrial expansion in Bangladesh has increased concerns about HM accumulation in agricultural lands and the associated risks in industrial areas. This study investigated seasonal variations in potentially toxic HM concentrations (Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Cd) in soils and crops collected from agricultural fields in central Bangladesh that are influenced by multiple industrial activities. Surface soil (0–15 cm) and edible crop samples (vegetables and rice) were collected during winter and summer, and HM concentrations were analyzed to determine bioaccumulation factors (BaF), pollution levels, sources, and ecological and human health risks. HM concentrations in both soil and crops were generally higher in winter than in summer, although metal-specific variations were observed. In soils, mean concentrations (mg/kg) of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Cd were 40.88, 5.16, 192.31, 55.80, 279.14, and 0.92 in winter, and 39.52, 4.27, 189.65, 56.62, 274.78, and below the detection limit (BDL) in summer. In crops, corresponding winter concentrations (mg/kg) were 83.34, 12.11, 390.80, 106.13, 891.89, and BDL, and 45.57, 12.21, 300.76, 92.18, 376.80, and BDL in summer. BaF values followed Zn>Cu>Cr>Mn>Ni>Cd in winter and Cu>Zn>Ni>Mn>Cr>Cd in summer. Correlation analysis suggested possible common sources and similar environmental behavior of several HMs. Pollution load indices (Pi ≤ 1.0) indicated relatively low-level soil pollution, while ecological risk indices showed low to moderate risks (Ri: 5.41–187.41). Despite relatively low soil pollution indices, the health risk assessment indicated potential chronic non-carcinogenic risks associated with dietary exposure to multiple HMs. These findings highlight the need for regular monitoring of agricultural soils and crops, effective management of industrial wastewater, and appropriate measures to minimize HM exposure in rapidly industrializing areas.
Abstract Agricultural soils underpin global food security but are increasingly constrained by declining organic matter, erosion, and loss of biological functioning under intensified production and climate stress. Biochar has been widely studied as a soil amendment capable of improving these functions while contributing to long-term carbon storage; however, its adoption remains limited by the absence of operational frameworks that translate soil responses into measurable and scalable outcomes. This work presents a soil-science-led conceptual framework that positions biochar application as a soil-function intervention and links biochar-induced processes to a minimal, field-feasible indicator set. The framework centres on a complementary triad comprising a soil enzyme composite index, microbial community composition metrics, and structural stability (aggregate–erosion resistance), representing biochemical, biological, and physical dimensions of soil function. Rather than exhaustive characterisation, the approach emphasises conservative interpretation, site-specific baselines, and repeatable measurements suited to heterogeneous farming contexts. Carbon storage and improvements in soil condition are treated as parallel but analytically distinct outcome pathways, avoiding conflation of carbon quantity with soil quality. By centring on soil functional change, this framework provides a transparent and operational basis for evaluating the impacts of biochar. It supports the integration of soil condition into emerging nature-positive frameworks without reliance on species-level biodiversity metrics.
Enhancing soil water availability is critical for improving crop drought resilience in highly weathered tropical soils. This study evaluated the synergistic effects of industrial charcoal fines (a biochar byproduct) and poultry litter on the water status of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.). We compared a process-based, flux-based model (FBM) against the traditional FAO-56 method to provide a mechanistic assessment. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using a completely randomized factorial design with nine treatments (four replications). Treatments consisted of biochar and poultry litter applied alone or in combination at rates of 5
Climate change is threatening rice yields more and more, which undermines global food security. Traditional agricultural practices further endanger the ecosystem by causing carbon emissions, soil degradation and wasteful water usage. Despite some progress in this area, local adaptation, soil quality improvement and mitigation remain insufficient. This review emphasises the importance of sustainable soil management in enhancing the climate resilience of ecosystems. Conservation tillage can reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 25–40
Soil serves as the foundation of our food system. Therefore, consistent and reliable information about soil is essential for understanding, managing, and protecting it. This study examines the concentrations of trace elements of environmental importance, including vanadium (V), antimony (Sb), tungsten (W), thallium (Tl), and bismuth (Bi), in agricultural and non-agricultural areas in Kahramanmaraş (Türkiye) and evaluates their accumulation levels using contamination indices (i.e., enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF)). For this purpose, a total of 100 soil samples were collected randomly, including 64 samples from agricultural areas (32 from the upper depth and 32 from the lower depth) and 36 samples from non-agricultural areas (18 from the upper depth and 18 from the lower depth). The total concentrations of V, Sb, W, Tl, and Bi in the collected soil samples were determined. In non-agricultural soils (0–30 cm), the average concentrations of V, Sb, W, Tl, and Bi were 160 mg kg− 1, 0.90 mg kg− 1, 6.01 mg kg− 1, 0.78 mg kg− 1, and 0.55 mg kg− 1, respectively. Except for W, the trace element concentrations generally reflected the parent material. No pollution was detected in non-agricultural areas based on EF and CF results. In agricultural soils (0–30 cm), the average concentrations of V, Sb, W, Tl, and Bi were 111 mg kg− 1, 0.91 mg kg− 1, 7.16 mg kg− 1, 0.77 mg kg− 1, and 0.55 mg kg− 1, respectively. According to the pollution index results, V showed substantial enrichment in agricultural soils (average EF: 7.88; average CF: 6.81), whereas the other elements (Sb, W, Tl, and Bi) had EF values below 2 and CF values around 1. The accumulation of V in agricultural soils was associated with the excessive use of agricultural chemicals, particularly phosphorus-based fertilizers and pesticides. PCA and independent-sample t-tests indicated no statistically significant differences between agricultural and non-agricultural soils (p > 0.05), although EF and CF indices revealed substantial enrichment of V in agricultural soils.
