Assessment Of Cadmium (Cd) And Lead (Pb) Contamination Hotspots In The Kadvi River Basin, Maharashtra

Soil contamination by heavy metals has become a significant environmental and public health concern at the global scale. Toxic elements such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are particularly important due to their persistence, non-biodegradable nature, and strong potential for bioaccumulation in terrestrial ecosystems. These metals originate from both geogenic processes, such as weathering of parent materials, and anthropogenic activities, including industrial discharge, agricultural inputs, and urban runoff. Their accumulation in soils facilitates transfer into plants and subsequently into the food chain, posing serious risks to ecological systems and human health (Bouida et al., 2022).

Recent global-scale assessments have further emphasized the widespread nature of soil pollution. Studies indicate that concentrations of Cd, Pb, and other heavy metals are elevated across many regions, adversely affecting soil quality, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem functions. Such contamination not only threatens environmental sustainability but also compromises food safety and human well-being (Hou et al., 2025).

In agricultural landscapes, heavy metal contamination is particularly critical, as it directly impacts soil fertility and crop growth. The accumulation of Cd and Pb in soils is often associated with intensive farming practices, including the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. These practices enhance the mobility and bioavailability of toxic metals, increasing the risk of their uptake by crops and subsequent exposure to humans and livestock (Alengebawy et al., 2021).

The Kadvi River Basin in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, represents a typical agro-environmental setting where agricultural activities, peri-urban expansion, and riverine processes interact. These factors may contribute to the introduction and redistribution of heavy metals within the soil system. Therefore, a geo-environmental assessment of this basin is essential to understand the spatial distribution of Cd and Pb, identify potential contamination sources such as agricultural inputs, urban runoff, and sediment deposition, and evaluate associated environmental and health risks. Such analysis is crucial for developing effective management strategies and promoting sustainable land-use practices in the region.

2. OBJECTIVES

The present study is carried out with the following objectives: To assess the concentration levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soil and water samples of the Kadvi River Basin.

3. STUDY AREA

The Kadvi River Basin is located in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, India. The river originates in the Western Ghats and flows eastward, draining into the larger Krishna River system. The basin encompasses a diverse landscape characterized by undulating topography, with elevations ranging from the high-altitude Western Ghats to the low-lying plains. The climate is tropical monsoon, receiving substantial rainfall during the southwest monsoon season (June–September), followed by a distinct dry period.

The Kadvi River originated from the high altitude of Amba village area. This seems to be heavy rainfall receiving area in Kadvi river basin. Kadvi River is the main tributary of Warna River. Kadvi River flows western to the eastern side and meets the Warna river near Thergaon village. Ambardi, Potphogi, and Shali rivers are sub tributaries of Kadvi river. Length of Kadvi river is 48.66 km. Kadvi river basin covers nearly 41.50% area of Shahuwadi tehsil, so thirty-three village area sample data located in this map. Water sources within the basin comprise rivers, lakes, ponds, wells, and borewells, which serve as critical resources for drinking, domestic use, agriculture, and livestock. The region's dependence on seasonal rainfall, coupled with anthropogenic activities including agriculture and aquaculture, makes it particularly vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations in water quality.

Figure 1: Location Map

Figure 2: Methodology Chart

Sr. No.	Village	Type	Wavelength (nm)
			Lead (ppm)	Cadmium (ppm)
1	Save	Analyte	0	0.26
2	Pisavi	Analyte	0	0.37
3	Kolgaon	Analyte	1.36	0.01
4	Sonavade	Analyte	0	0.18
5	Uchat, Parale	Analyte	0.04	0.04
6	Bhedavade	Analyte	0	0.29
7	Karanjoshi	Analyte	0	0
8	Pusarle	Analyte	0.04	0.04
9	Pusarle	Analyte	0	0
10	Savarde Kh.	Analyte	0	0.09
11	Bambavade	Analyte	0	0.01
12	Arul	Analyte	0.02	0.03
13	Sasegaon, Karanjoshi	Analyte	0	0
14	Charan	Analyte	0.76	0.19
15	Pisavi	Analyte	0	0.01
16	Shirale	Analyte	0	0.01
17	Panundre	Analyte	1.1	0.01
18	Kadave	Analyte	0	0.06
19	Amba	Analyte	1.19	0.01
20	Manoli	Analyte	1.73	0.01
21	Gogave	Analyte	0.76	0.19
22	Supatre	Analyte	0	0.17
23	Malkapur	Analyte	0	0.23
24	Karungale	Analyte	0.06	0.03
25	Warul	Analyte	0	0.09
26	Altur	Analyte	0.02	0.03
27	Bhirewadi, Thamkedi	Analyte	0	0.26
28	Ainwadi	Analyte	0.76	0.19
29	Amba	Analyte	0	0.28
30	Paleshwar Dam	Analyte	0	0.01
31	Kasarde	Analyte	0	0.01
32	Paleshwar Forest	Analyte	0	0.22
33	Kandavan	Analyte	0.03	0.02

Table 1: Lead and Cadmium Analysis in the Kadvi River Basin (Kolhapur)

Figure 3: Lead Sample data classification at the Kadvi River Basin (Kolhapur)

Figure 4: Cadmium Sample data classification at the Kadvi River Basin (Kolhapur)

 

 

 

Figure 5: Lead and Cadmium Sample data collection at the Kadvi River Basin (Kolhapur)

5.4 Environmental and Health Implications

The presence of heavy metals such as Pb and Cd in soil and water environments has significant ecological and human health implications. Elevated Pb levels can impair soil microbial activity and pose risks to the nervous system in humans upon prolonged exposure. Cadmium, on the other hand, is highly toxic even at low concentrations and can lead to kidney dysfunction, skeletal damage, and contamination of agricultural produce through plant uptake.

The detection of higher concentrations in specific locations suggests the need for targeted mitigation strategies, including soil remediation, controlled use of agrochemicals, and regular environmental monitoring. Additionally, awareness programs for local communities regarding the risks associated with heavy metal contamination are essential.

The overall assessment indicates that while the study area is not uniformly contaminated, certain hotspot locations exhibit elevated levels of lead and cadmium, which require immediate attention. The contrasting behavior of Pb and Cd in terms of concentration and distribution emphasizes the importance of adopting a multi-parameter approach for environmental assessment. Sustainable land management practices and continuous monitoring can play a crucial role in minimizing the long-term risks associated with heavy metal contamination.

CONCLUSION

The present study evaluates the concentration and spatial distribution of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in the Kadvi River Basin, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. The analysis, carried out using ICP-OES, reveals that heavy metal contamination is not uniformly distributed but occurs in distinct localized hotspots across the basin. While the majority of sampling locations exhibit low or negligible concentrations, certain villages show comparatively elevated levels of Pb and Cd, indicating site-specific accumulation. Lead (Pb) concentrations were generally higher and more widespread than cadmium, with notable peaks observed at Pelars (Manoli), Kolgaon, Amba, and Panundre. In contrast, cadmium (Cd) concentrations were lower overall but showed significant localized enrichment at sites such as Pisavi, Uchat (Parale), and Ainwadi. These variations suggest that both natural factors and anthropogenic activities—such as agricultural inputs, runoff, and local land-use practices—play a crucial role in influencing heavy metal distribution. Although most values remain within broader permissible limits, the presence of elevated concentrations at specific locations is environmentally significant due to the persistent and toxic nature of these metals. Their potential to accumulate in soil and enter the food chain poses risks to agricultural sustainability, ecosystem health, and human well-being. Therefore, the study highlights the need for continuous monitoring, identification of contamination sources, and implementation of targeted mitigation measures. Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, controlled use of agrochemicals, and proper land and water management strategies are essential to minimize heavy metal pollution and ensure long-term environmental protection in the Kadvi River Basin.

REFERENCES

1. Blissett, A. H., & Rowson, N. A. (2012). A review of the multi-component utilisation of coal fly ash. Fuel, 97, 1–23.
2. Alengebawy, A., Abdelkhalek, S. T., Qureshi, S. R., & Wang, M. Q. (2021). Heavy metals and pesticides toxicity in agricultural soil and plants: Ecological risks and human health implications. Toxics, 9(3), 42.
3. Alam, M. N. E., Hosen, M. M., Ullah, A. A., Maksud, M. A., Khan, S. R., Lutfa, L. N., & Quraishi, S. B. (2023). Pollution characteristics, source identification, and health risk of heavy metals in the soil–vegetable system in two districts of Bangladesh. Biological Trace Element Research, 1–15.
4. Ahmad, K., Ashfaq, A., Khan, Z. I., Akhtar, S., Rani, S., Siddique, F., & Hamza, M. A. (2023). Assessment of human health risk of zinc and lead by consuming food crops supplied with excessive fertilizers. Journal of Bioresource Management, 10(2), 4.
5. Bouida, L., Rafatullah, M., Kerrouche, A., Qutob, M., Alosaimi, A. M., Alorfi, H. S., & Hussein, M. A. (2022). A review on cadmium and lead contamination: Sources, fate, mechanism, health effects and remediation methods. Water, 14(21), 3432.
6. Briseño-Bugarín, J., Araujo-Padilla, X., Escot-Espinoza, V. M., Cardoso-Ortiz, J., Flores de la Torre, J. A., & López-Luna, A. (2024). Lead (Pb) pollution in soil: A systematic review and meta-analysis of contamination grade and health risk in Mexico. Environments, 11(3), 43.
7. Dharma-Wardana, M. W. C. (2018). Fertilizer usage and cadmium in soils, crops and food. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 40(6), 2739–2759.
8. Genchi, G., Sinicropi, M. S., Lauria, G., Carocci, A., & Catalano, A. (2020). The effects of cadmium toxicity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(11), 3782.
9. Goncharuk, E. A., & Zagoskina, N. V. (2023). Heavy metals, their phytotoxicity, and the role of phenolic antioxidants in plant stress responses with focus on cadmium. Molecules, 28(9), 3921.
10. Gray, C. W., & Cavanagh, J. A. E. (2023). The state of knowledge of cadmium in New Zealand agricultural systems: 2021. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 66(4), 285–335.
11. Hou, D., Jia, X., Wang, L., McGrath, S. P., Zhu, Y. G., Hu, Q., & Nriagu, J. (2025). Global soil pollution by toxic metals threatens agriculture and human health. Science, 388(6744), 316–321.
12. Khan, S., El-Latif Hesham, A., Qiao, M., Rehman, S., & He, J. Z. (2010). Effects of Cd and Pb on soil microbial community structure and activities. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 17(2), 288–296.
13. Matta, G., & Gjyli, L. (2016). Mercury, lead and arsenic: Impact on environment and human health. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 9(2), 718–725.
14. Nordberg, G. F., Bernard, A., Diamond, G. L., Duffus, J. H., Illing, P., Nordberg, M., & Skerfving, S. (2018). Risk assessment of effects of cadmium on human health (IUPAC technical report). Pure and Applied Chemistry, 90(4), 755–808.
15. Peana, M., Pelucelli, A., Chasapis, C. T., Perlepes, S. P., Bekiari, V., Medici, S., & Zoroddu, M. A. (2022). Biological effects of human exposure to environmental cadmium. Biomolecules, 13(1), 36.
16. Raj, K., & Das, A. P. (2023). Lead pollution: Impact on environment and human health and approach for a sustainable solution. Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology.
17. Rassaei, F. (2023). The effect of sugarcane bagasse biochar on maize growth factors in lead- and cadmium-polluted soils. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 54(10), 1426–1446.
18. Suhani, I., Sahab, S., Srivastava, V., & Singh, R. P. (2021). Impact of cadmium pollution on food safety and human health. Current Opinion in Toxicology, 27, 1–7.
19. Trivedi, S. K., & Yadav, M. (2018). Predicting online repurchase intentions with e-satisfaction as mediator: A study on Gen Y. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, 48(3), 427–447.
20. Vemić, A., Popović, V., Miletić, Z., Radulović, Z., Rakonjac, L., & Lučić, A. (2023). Effect of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) soil contamination on plant development. iForest – Biogeosciences and Forestry, 16(6), 307.
21. Wang, R., Sang, P., Guo, Y., Jin, P., Cheng, Y., Yu, H., & Qian, H. (2023). Cadmium in food: Source, distribution and removal. Food Chemistry, 405, 134666.
22. Xu, M., Luo, F., Tu, F., Rukh, G., Ye, Z., Ruan, Z., & Liu, D. (2022). Effects of stabilizing materials on soil Cd bioavailability and rice growth. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 1035960.
23. Zhang, X., Yang, L., Li, Y., Li, H., Wang, W., & Ye, B. (2012). Impacts of lead/zinc mining and smelting on environment and human health in China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184, 2261–2273.
24. Zhao, D., Wang, P., & Zhao, F. J. (2023). Dietary cadmium exposure, risks to human health and mitigation strategies. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 53(8), 939–963.