Advances in risk assessment of contaminated agricultural soils

Publication date: 12-12-2025
Extent: 36 pages

Contributions by: M.A. Ayanka Wijayawardena and Ravi Naidu, University of Newcastle, Australia and CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (crcCARE), Australia

Chapter synopsis:

Contaminants associated with agriculture is a major concern for environmental health, food safety, and sustainable farming. The contamination, stemming from diverse sources like industrial pollution, use of biosolids, secondary treated water, waste mismanagement, overuse of agrochemicals, and accidental spills, poses serious risks to natural ecosystem. The focus of the chapter is on the latest methods that improve our ability to detect, measure, and reduce these contamination risks. These methods include comprehensive evaluations of multiple contaminants and a holistic risk assessment approach. This approach is in line with the World Health Organization's One Health initiative, which emphasise the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and their environment. The chapter aims to provide a thorough understanding of the risks associated with soil contamination and its far-reaching effects. It also seeks to guide sustainable land use, safe food production, ecosystem protection, and human health safeguarding.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0151.12