10.57647/j.jap.2025.0901.05

A proxy-based restriction scoring approach using soil physico-chemical properties to assess potentially toxic element risk in agroecosystems

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  • Seyed Mohsen Ghoreishi1,
  • Elham Chavoshi*2,
  • Sattar Chavoshi Borujeni3,
  1. Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
  2. Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
  3. Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Department, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Isfahan 8174835117, Iran.

Received: 2025-02-07

Revised: 2025-02-22

Accepted: 2025-04-10

Published in Issue 2025-07-01

Copyright (c) 2025 Seyed Mohsen Ghoreishi, Elham Chavoshi, Sattar Chavoshi Borujeni (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ghoreishi, S. M., Chavoshi, E., & Chavoshi Borujeni, S. (2025). A proxy-based restriction scoring approach using soil physico-chemical properties to assess potentially toxic element risk in agroecosystems. Anthropogenic Pollution, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.57647/j.jap.2025.0901.05
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Abstract

Agricultural intensification, particularly in developing countries, has led to widespread soil pollution and potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination due to excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This study assesses the spatial variability of HM contamination risks in the Mehrgard Catchment (1275.59 km²), Isfahan Province, using soil physico-chemical properties as proxies. Soil samples from 134 locations revealed significant heterogeneity in organic carbon (OC, 0.5–6.9%), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP, 0.59–15.67 µmol/g/l), and texture (sand 54.9–78.8%). Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three components explaining ~80% of the variance, emphasizing the dominant roles of OC, ALP, and texture in regulating PTE dynamics. OC and nutrient-related parameters were key to PTE retention, while sandy soils and carbonate content increased contamination risks. A restriction score (RS, ranging from -1.132 to 0.676) was calculated for each location using PCA-derived weights and adjusted soil properties. Hotspot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) identified northern areas as high-risk zones (49 locations across three clusters), where soil properties elevated PTE accumulation risks. The findings advocate for site-specific strategies, such as organic amendments for sandy soils and precision irrigation for carbonate-rich areas, to mitigate PTE contamination, highlighting the inadequacy of uniform agricultural practices for sustainable land use.

Keywords

  • Restriction score,
  • Hotspot analysis,
  • Principal Component Analysis,
  • Potentially toxic elements
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