Author(s):
Preeti Dogra, Ruby Gorka
Email(s):
preetidogra1979@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/0974-4150.2026.00005
Address:
Preeti Dogra1*, Ruby Gorka2
1Ph.D. Research Scholar in Environmental Sciences, School of Chemical Engineering and Physical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.
1Assistant Professor in Environmental Sciences, Department of Higher Education, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
2Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu Tawi, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 1,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Heavy metal contamination of soils, particularly near industrial corridors, represents a pervasive global environmental challenge. Traditional risk assessments, reliant solely on total metal concentration, inherently overlook the critical determinant of metal toxicity: bioavailability. This review synthesizes current understanding of heavy metal speciation and fractionation in soils, focusing on the principles and applications of sequential extraction protocols (e.g., BCR, Tessier) to quantify bioavailable pools. We critically evaluate the limitations of total concentration approaches and demonstrate how fractionation data transforms ecological risk assessment, providing a more realistic estimation of hazard. The paper further explores the interplay of soil parameters (pH, organic matter, clay content) on metal mobility and reviews emerging remediation strategies that target bioavailable fractions. Finally, we identify key research gaps, including the need for standardized fractionation methods and the integration of bioavailability into regulatory frameworks, arguing that a paradigm shift from total to bioavailable metal assessment is essential for accurate risk diagnosis and effective remediation of contaminated sites.
Cite this article:
Preeti Dogra, Ruby Gorka. Bioavailable Heavy Metal Fractions in Industrially Impacted Soils and the Imperative for Advanced Risk Assessment Models: A Critical Review. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2026; 19(1):19-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-4150.2026.00005
Cite(Electronic):
Preeti Dogra, Ruby Gorka. Bioavailable Heavy Metal Fractions in Industrially Impacted Soils and the Imperative for Advanced Risk Assessment Models: A Critical Review. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2026; 19(1):19-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-4150.2026.00005 Available on: https://www.ajrconline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-1-5
REFERENCES:
1. Bacon JR. Davidson CM. Is there a future for sequential chemical extraction? The Analyst. 2008; 133(1): 25–46. https://doi.org/10.1039/b711896a
2. Hakanson L. An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control: A sedimentological approach. Water Research. 1980; 14(8): 975–1001. https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(80)90143-8
3. Rauret G. López-Sánchez JF. Sahuquillo A. Rubio R. Davidson C. Ure A. Quevauviller P. Improvement of the BCR three step sequential extraction procedure prior to the certification of new sediment and soil reference materials. Journal of Environmental Monitoring. 1999; 1(1): 57–61. https://doi.org/10.1039/a807854h
4. Sutherland RA. BCR®-701: A review of 10-years of sequential extraction analyses. Analytica Chimica Acta. 2010; 680(1-2): 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2010.09.016
5. Tessier A. Campbell PGC. Bisson M. Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of particulate trace metals. Analytical Chemistry. 1979; 51(7): 844–851. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50043a017
6. Tóth G. Hermann T. Da Silva MR. Montanarella L. Heavy metals in agricultural soils of the European Union with implications for food safety. Environment International. 2016; 88: 299–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.017
7. Ure AM. Quevauviller P. Muntau H. Griepink B. Speciation of heavy metals in soils and sediments. An account of the improvement and harmonization of extraction techniques undertaken under the auspices of the BCR of the Commission of the European Communities. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry. 1993; 51(1-4): 135–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319308027619
8. Zheng S. Wang Q. Yu H. Huang X. Li F. Interactive effects of pH and temperature on the environmental availability of heavy metals in soil. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 721: 137659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137659
9. Kumar V. Pandita S. Singh Sidhu GP. A meta-analysis of potential ecological risk evaluation of heavy metals in sediments and soils. Gondwana Research. 2021; 93: 120–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2021.01.008
10. Bolan N. Kunhikrishnan A. Thangarajan R. Kumpiene J. Park J. Makino T. Kirkham MB. Scheckel K. Remediation of heavy metal(loid)s contaminated soils – To mobilize or to immobilize? Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2014; 266: 141–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.12.018
11. Mahar A. Wang P. Ali A. Awasthi MK. Lahori AH. Wang Q. Li R. Zhang Z. Challenges and opportunities in the phytoremediation of heavy metals contaminated soils: A review. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2016; 126: 111–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.12.023
12. Shukla L. Jain N. A Review on Soil Heavy metals Contamination: Effects, Sources and Remedies. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2020; 13(4): 299–304. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-4150.2020.00058.9
13. Saha M. Sengupta S. Sinha B. Mishra DK. Assessment of Physico-Chemical Properties. Some Heavy Metals and Arsenic of River Teesta in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India. Asian J. Research Chem. 2017; 10(3): 399–404. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-4150.2017.00068.2
14. Saha A. Roy S. Harmful Effects of Different Classes of Heavy Metals in Our Beautiful Environment. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2023; 16(1): 13–17. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-4150.2023.00003
15. Ajantha Aekis T. Indirani B. Comparison of heavy metal concentration in various Laterite profiles in Kanyakumari district. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2018; 11(2): 244–246. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-4150.2018.00046.9
16. Sharma N. Kaur J. Chemical Examination of Heavy Metals of the Drinking Water in the Ramgarh Area, Mahwa, Rajasthan. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2025; 18(3): 129–134. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-4150.2025.00021
17. Olasunkanmi AB. Ojo AA. Olanrewaju TS. Olumuyiwa AO. Sorption Potential of Chestnut (Castanae sativa) Shell as a Biomaterial for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Acid Mine Drainage. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2019; 12(6): 345–350. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-4150.2019.00065.8
18. Pugazholi P. Babypriya A. Esai Kanaga Yadav KR. Phytoremediation: Removal of Heavy Metals from Soil using Helianthus Annuus. Research Journal of Engineering and Technology. 2013; 4(4): 242–245.
19. Krishna Mohan GV. Wate SR. The Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Phytoremediation Species of Sonneratia caseolaris, Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests of Peninsular India. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2011; 4(5): 741–745.
20. Awasthi A. Bio-accumulation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb in a wild grass, Parthenium hysterophorus L. Asteraceae, growing naturally on barren land and evaluation of phyto-extraction potential of the plant for studied metals. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry. 2023; 16(4): 277–284. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-4150.2023.00046
21. Jaiswal S. Bioremediation of Chromium contamination by Aspergillus and Rhizopus. Research Journal of Science and Technology. 2024; 16(3): 270–273. https://doi.org/10.52711/2349-2988.2024.00038
22. Kalpana P. Balasubramanian K. Kalaivani RA. Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Selected Medicinal Plants and their Corresponding Soils collected from Environmentally Diverse Locations of India. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2018; 11(8): 3489–3493. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-360X.2018.00645.5
23. Kumari R. Mittal A. Sharma M. Remediation Strategies of Xenobiotics in Urban Soils and Water: A Review. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2024; 16(3):175–179. https://doi.org/10.52711/0975-4385.2024.00033