Abstract

Nickel (Ni) is an essential metal for plant metabolism, substantial amounts of Ni can have detrimental effects on the environment. Because of its widespread occurrence and persistence, which contribute to soil pollution and environmental risks, nickel (Ni) is the subject of this research as a major environmental contaminant. The main goal of the study is to evaluate the amounts of Ni in various crop cultivars such as (sugarcane, brassica, berseem, alfalfa, maize, and oat) and soils cultivated under different water regimes (groundwater, canal water, sewage) in Sargodha, Pakistan. Ni concentrations were analyzed in ecological settings such as water and soils, as well as in plant components including roots, shoots, and leaves. Furthermore, various pollution indices were utilized to evaluate the phytostabilization potential, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of Ni contamination's environmental impact. The results showed that the mean Ni concentration in different water regimes varied from. 0.073 to 0.78 mgL-1 at location 1 and location 3. 10.45 to 20.57 mgkg-1, At SITE I, S. officinarum and at SITE III, Z. mays in soil. 1.23 to 11.83 mgkg-1 in crops, B. campestris at SITE I, and Z. mays at SITE III. 0.43 to 2.89 mgL-1 in non-lactating buffaloes at SITE I and dry buffaloes consequently. Findings of the study also showed that the levels of nickel in crops, water, soil, and buffalo serum are all within acceptable bounds. All indices—contamination factor (CF), transfer factor (TF), enrichment factor (EF), estimated daily intake (EDI), and hazard quotient (HQ) for Ni—are less than 1, used to determine health risks posed by heavy metals. However, using wastewater for irrigation on a regular basis could pose risks to food chain organisms.