Environmental risk assessment of artillery-impacted soils contaminated by heavy metals using pollution indices

Purpose This proof-of-concept study quantifies environmental and human health risks from heavy metal contamination generated by a single, well-documented artillery strike. Focusing on cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb), we collected paired soil samples from the explosion crater and an unimpacted reference area at a previously pristine site, enabling unambiguous source attribution. Design/methodology/approach Samples were digested and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and evaluated using a suite of pollution indices (PIs) (Igeo, enrichment factor, contamination factor, Pollution Load Index, Nemerow PI and Cdeg/mCdeg) and ecological risk indices (Eri and Risk Index). Findings Compared with reference soils, crater soils showed consistently higher Cd, Cr and Ni; the index ensemble classified the site as mildly to moderately impacted, while integrated ecological risk remained low to moderate. We discuss transport pathways (wind and overland flow) and implications for monitoring and management in conflict-affected landscapes. Because single-strike conditions establish a conservative lower bound for conflict-related contamination, repeated shelling would plausibly increase cumulative burdens and risk. Originality/value We outline a longitudinal and spatially replicated follow-up to track attenuation and secondary dispersion and to incorporate biomonitoring endpoints. These findings provide a rigorous baseline for risk communication and for designing targeted mitigation during and after armed conflict.