Nickel pollution pathways in small ecosystem, Egypt

Abstract

AbstractNickel has negative human health effects depending on dose and length of exposure; it is classified as a class 1 carcinogen. Nickel pollution threatens Saft Rashin village, Egypt. The area’s crops are highly contaminated with nickel, suggesting them as bioaccumulators. Nickel daily intake exceeds twofold the permissible limits. To fully understand the pollution process, Ni concentrations in every input/output were determined and have been normalized to grams per hectare per year (g ha−1 year−1). Geochemical mass balance (GMB) revealed that dustfall is the major Ni input (88.8%) followed by P-fertilizers (11.2% of the total inputs). Nickel in dust is mainly related to traffic emissions. On the other hand, plant uptake removes about 90% of the total nickel input. The remaining 10% accumulates in the soil with a retention rate of 44.7 g ha−1 year−1. Accordingly, using new diesel models that are more efficient and less polluting can reduce pollution levels; likewise, use eco-friendly fertilizers. Egyptian clover is recommended as a phytoremediator to remove Ni from growth media for its high efficiency and low planting cost.