Human and environmental risk assessment and plausible sources of toxic heavy metals at beach placers in southeast Sri...

Beach placers are typically rich in heavy minerals, which are crucial for a wide range of industrial applications. This study investigates the human and environmental risks posed by toxic heavy metals (As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe, V and Mn) in beach placers of southeastern Sri Lanka using 42 X-ray fluorescence data. Risk indicators (EF, I_geo, CF and PLI) indicate the polluted nature of the placers. Correlation analysis (correlation matrix and HCA) identified pollution sources as heavy mineral-rich rocks, agricultural fertilizers, pesticides and municipal wastes. The environmental impact caused by toxic metals is less in placers. The highest non-carcinogenic risks (HI) resulted by Cr (1.69E+00), V (4.29E+00) and Fe (2.06E+00) to children. The total cancer risk of As and Cr in placers is unacceptable (children: 2.60E-04, 2.48E-03, and adults: 3.14E-05, 2.87E-04, respectively). Different strategies are introduced to mitigate the identified risks in source areas and the coastal environment.