Micronutrients and contaminants in the grazing and agricultural soils of Kashmir Valley, India

Soil plays a critical role in determining the food nutrition at the base of the food chain, which makes it essential for food safety. This study demonstrates how micronutrient deficiencies and pollution from hazardous elements may affect crop productivity as well as human and animal health. In the Kashmir valley's Bandipora-Ganderbal region, 200 top soils were examined to ascertain the toxicity risks and trace element deficiencies. With mean values of 44,759 ± 6072, 120 ± 23, 114 ± 18, 89 ± 22, 44 ± 8, 33 ± 7, 23 ± 4, 19 ± 4, and 11 ± 5 respectively, the concentrations (mg kg^-1) vary from Fe: 31,326 to 77,420, Cr: 59 to 228, V: 79 to 235, Zn: 30 to 174, Ni: 18 to 79, Cu: 10 to 59, Pb: 15 to 55, Co: 10 to 38 and As: 1 to 36. A portion of the study area has hazardous levels of As, Cr, Ni, and V and is deficient in Cu, Ni, and Zn for agricultural production. Micronutrient deficiencies are associated to carbonate rock topography, while pollution symptoms are linked to areas with human footprints. Weak correlations for As, Pb, and Zn and significant correlations for Fe, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V indicate anthropogenic and geogenic origins, respectively. For Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V, the enrichment factor is minimum; for As, Pb, and Zn, it is moderate. The soil pollution indices for Cu, Pb, and Zn are low, while those for As, Co, Cr, Ni, and V are moderate. The integrated toxic risk index was evaluated in order to gain a better understanding of the toxicity in the research region. The values ranged from 3.80 to 10.64, with 5% of samples having no risk, 63.5% having low risk, and 31.5% having moderate risk. Compared to forest, grazing areas, and waste land sites, areas used for agriculture, habitation, and hydroelectric projects are more contaminated. The main causes of pollution are pesticides, fertilizers, construction, and vehicle emissions. The study's main conclusions about As, Cr, Ni, and V pollution and deficiencies in Cu, Ni, and Zn in soils may help policymakers improve soil health for higher crop yields and a healthier lifestyle.