Integrated Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal and Microbial Exposure in Coastal Agricultural Systems
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University "Ismail Qemali" of Vlora 9400
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Environmental contamination in coastal agricultural systems frequently involves the simultaneous occurrence of chemical pollutants and microbiological hazards, creating complex risks for ecosystems, livestock, food safety, and human health. The present study provides an integrated assessment of heavy metal contamination and microbiological pollution across soil, surface water, groundwater, and milk within a coastal agricultural environment. Soil samples exhibited elevated concentrations of copper and mercury, reaching 470.244 mg/kg and 2.330 mg/kg, respectively, indicating substantial accumulation of heavy metals within the terrestrial compartment. In contrast, water samples showed relatively low concentrations of heavy metals, with copper ranging from 0.0011 to 0.0016 mg/L. Microbiological contamination exhibited an opposite distribution pattern, river water showing high total coliform concentrations reaching 810 CFU/100 mL, while milk samples reached 590 CFU/100 mL. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed a contamination gradient extending from soil to water and subsequently to milk, supporting the hypothesis of environmental-to-food chain transfer pathways. Principal Component Analysis and hierarchical clustering demonstrated clear differentiation between heavy metal accumulation processes and microbiological contamination patterns. The findings indicate that heavy metals are primarily retained within soil systems, whereas microbiological contaminants display greater environmental mobility through aquatic and food-related compartments. Despite limitations associated with sample size, the study demonstrates the importance of integrated environmental monitoring and supports the application of a One Health framework for assessing environmental and biological risks in coastal agricultural systems.