title: Heavy metal contamination and risk assessment in water, paddy soil, and rice around an electroplating plant.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of long-term electroplating industrial activities on heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils and potential health risks for local residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Water, soil, and rice samples were collected from sites upstream (control) and downstream of the electroplating wastewater outlet. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Fractionation and risk assessment code (RAC) were used to evaluate the environmental risks of heavy metals in soils. The health risk index (HRI) and hazard index (HI) were calculated to assess potential health risks to local populations through rice consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hazardous levels of Cu, Cr, and Ni were observed in water and paddy soils at sites near the plant. According to the RAC analysis, the soils showed a high risk for Ni and a medium risk for Cu and Cr at certain sites. The rice samples were primarily contaminated with Ni, followed by Cr and Cu. HRI values >1 were not found for any heavy metal. However, HI values for adults and children were 2.075 and 1.808, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Water, paddy soil, and rice from the studied area have been contaminated by Cu, Cr, and Ni. The contamination of these elements is related to the electroplating wastewater. Although no single metal poses health risks for local residents through rice consumption, the combination of several metals may threaten the health of local residents. Cu and Ni are the key components contributing to the potential health risks.
authors: The Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Protection and Assessment, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China. Liu-j7775@163.com
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: Xue-Hong
authors: XH
authors: Zhang
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Tran
authors: Dun-Qiu
authors: DQ
authors: Wang
authors: Yi-Nian
authors: YN
authors: Zhu
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