Assessment of Soil Salinity and Heavy Metal Contamination in Agricultural Zones from Barishal to Barguna, Bangladesh

Abstract

In certain regions of Bangladesh, salinity negatively impacts the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. To achieve the study's goals, samples were taken from agricultural locations, and soil sampling was examined using a random sampling technique at 0–13 cm depth. The research's findings demonstrated that the study area's salinity was rising daily, which impacted vegetation and crops based on the salt level. In the districts of Barishal, Jhalokathi, Patuakhali, and Barguna, the research was carried out to ascertain the saline state of the soil in the following areas: Kather Ghor, Runshi, Parshivpur, Mahishkata, Subidhkhali, Gorua, Bodorkhali, and Lobongola. Therefore, the current study suggests a significant management strategy to lower salinity at Parshivpur (794 μS/cm), Mahishkata (578 μS/cm), Bodorkhali (751 μS/cm), and Lobongola (762 μS/cm) regions. Furthermore, at every station in the research region, the mercury levels were higher than the FAO's permissible limit; Subidhkhali had the highest value, while Bodorkhali had the lowest. Because heavy metals are bad for agricultural productivity, the levels of Cd at Parshivpur, Mahiskata, Bodorkhali, Lobongola, and Subidhkhali were higher than the WHO's allowable limit. The range of EC (μS/cm) for the soils was 498 to 762, indicating moderate to high salinity. The levels of total K, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cr, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn were medium to low, and the amount of salt that had accumulated was moderate to low. Given the current state of our nation's soil salinity, more implementations and coordination of the relevant policies should be required for particular consideration in decision-making. Keywords: Soil Salinity, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Heavy Metals, pH, Agriculture, Bangladesh