MERCURY-CONTAMINATED SOIL: BIBLIOMETRIC MAPPING AND FUTURE NEEDS

This study utilized bibliometric and content analysis methods to investigate research trends, identify key contributors, dominant themes, and future directions regarding mercury contamination in soil. Data were collected from the Scopus database from January 2015 to August 2024 using targeted search terms and analyzed using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. Mercury research activities from 2015 to 2024 steadily increased, with an R-squared value of 0.7916. Five main research clusters were identified: Environmental Remediation Techniques, Risk Assessment and Pollution Analysis, Health Risks and Environmental Management, Pollution Monitoring and Environmental Impact, and Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health. These clusters highlight diverse focus areas and the interconnected global efforts to address mercury contamination. China, the United States, and Spain lead research output. Future studies should focus on mercury-contaminated agricultural soil for human risk assessment, particularly in areas heavily affected by ASGM.