Integrated Geochemical and Mineralogical Investigation of Soil from the Volcanic Fogo Island (Cape Verde): Implications for Ecological and Probabilistic Human Health Risks

• Published in: Exposure and health 2023-03, Vol.15 (1), p.1-17
• Main Authors: Cabral-Pinto, Marina MS, Saha, Narottam, Ordens, C. M., Pitta-Grós, Denise, Carlos, Gelson, Dinis, Pedro, Marques, Rosa, Prudêncio, Isabel, Rocha, Fernando, Ferreira da Silva, Eduardo A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 18th century; Aquatic Pollution; Cadmium; Carcinogens; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecological effects; Ecological risk assessment; Environment; Environmental Health; Geochemistry; Geology; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Islands; Lava; Lead; Mercury (metal); Mineralogy; Minerals; Monte Carlo simulation; Original Paper; Pollution; Principal components analysis; Sarcoma; Soil investigations; Soils; Storm damage; Thyroid cancer; Volcanic eruptions; Volcanic soils; Waste Water Technology; Water and Health; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water Quality/Water Pollution
• ISSN: 2451-9766; 2451-9685
• DOI: 10.1007/s12403-022-00472-6

Volcanic regions are associated with increased environmental and human health risks due to elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Fogo Island, Cape Verde, experienced recent volcanic eruptions, which raised the questions around the potential for local soils to pose such risks. In order to better understand the relationships between local mineralogy and geochemistry, and environmental and probabilistic human health risks, we (i) present the distribution of selected PTEs based on 136 soil samples, (ii) determine major associations between minerals and geological units based on a principal component analysis, (iii) calculate the potential ecological risk index and potential ecological risk and (iv) model human health risks based Monte Carlo simulations. The soils overlaying the older units yield higher contents of secondary minerals, with relative enrichment is some PTEs. The soils covering more recent units are enriched with primary minerals and show elevated concentrations of Pb. The results show that (i) As, Pb, Cd and Hg pose considerable to very high ecological risks, (ii) metal(oid)s are unlikely to cause a non-carcinogenic health risk, although As may pose a cancer risk for children. This research also provides health and environmental authorities with a toll to manage such risks.