Biomonitoring of soil quality in the Souk Ahras region (Northeast Algeria) using Cornu aspersum as a bioindicator: Trace metals and sulfates analysis

<p>The present study aims to assess the impact of physicochemical parameters on the availability of trace metal elements (TME) in soil by analyzing the accumulation of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and sulfates in both soil and edible tissues of <em>Cornu aspersum</em> using a passive biomonitoring approach at three sites in Souk Ahras province: Zaarouria, Mechrouha and ENAP (National Paint Enterprise). Statistical analysis of the data indicated that adsorption of TME and sulfates on soil particles inhibits their uptake by other terrestrial organisms such as snails. In addition, physicochemical parameters significantly influenced the distribution of TME in the soil, revealing marked spatial differences in the accumulation of Cu in the foot and viscera as well as Zn especially in the viscera. Furthermore, a significantly higher accumulation of sulfates was observed in the foot compared to the viscera especially at the ENAP site. These observations could confirm the potential of <em>C. aspersum</em> species as an effective bioindicator of metal pollution in soil.</p><p><strong>Keywords.</strong> <em>Cornu aspersum</em>, bioindicator, bioavailability, accumulation, metal pollution, soil.</p>