Detecting cadmium bioaccumulation in soil and its translocation into agricultural produce

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.351507

Keywords:

cadmium contamination, trophic transfer factor, transition coefficient, military operations, milk safety

Abstract

This paper quantifies transition factors (TFs) of Cd from soil to feed for dairy cattle (pasture grass, hay, straw) and to cow's milk.

The study area is a transit area for the movement of military air objects and is likely to be contaminated with heavy metals. Analysis of soil and agricultural produce could make it possible to establish the level of their safety.

Field studies were conducted in July and October 2025 in the village of Sulske (Ukraine), located within 50 km of the combat zone. The concentration of Cd, TFs, and the trophic factor of its transfer from feed to milk (TTF) were determined using generally accepted methods. The concentration of Cd in the soil ranged from 16.49 to 16.82 mg/kg, with the highest value in the soil of agricultural land. Bioaccumulation of Cd in straw (0.036 mg/kg) dominated in October, in grass (0.06 mg/kg) and hay (0.09 mg/kg) in July. Cd levels in grass ranged from 0.034 to 0.06 mg/kg, exceeding the permissible concentration recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) by three times. Despite this, the TF value in all samples does not exceed 1, which indicates a slight diffusion of heavy metals from chernozems. The Cd concentration in milk was practically the same, exceeding the norm established in Ukraine (0.01 mg/kg) and was 3.8–4.6 times higher than the WHO recommended value. The highest trophic factor of Cd transfer from feed to milk (0.6) is possible when cows are fed straw in July. In October, this indicator is the same for all types of feed (0.3).

The study showed that Cd bioaccumulation occurs in soils, plants, and milk in the territories within a 50-kilometer zone of military operations. The results could be used for subsequent analysis while further monitoring the safety of agricultural produce in this area

Author Biographies

Maryna Samilyk, Sumy National Agrarian University

Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor

Department of Technology and Food Safety

Serhii Bokovets, Sumy National Agrarian University

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department of Food Technology

Oleh Bakhmat, Higher Educational Institution "Podillia State University"

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor

Department of Ecology and General Biological Subjects

Ulyana Nedilska, Higher Educational Institution "Podillia State University"

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Ecology and General Biological Subjects

Taisia Ryzhkova, State Biotechnological University

Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor

Department of Processing Technology and Quality of Livestock Products

Ihor Hnoievyі, State Biotechnological University

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor

Department of Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Aquatic Bioresources

Dmytro Hrinchenko, State Biotechnological University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Epizootology and Microbiology

Alla Petrenko, State Biotechnological University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Hygiene, Sanitation and Veterinary Law

Anna Hotvianska, Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Plant Production

Yevhen Yevtushenko, Sumy National Agrarian University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Physical Education

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Detecting cadmium bioaccumulation in soil and its translocation into agricultural produce

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Published

2026-02-27

How to Cite

Samilyk, M., Bokovets, S., Bakhmat, O., Nedilska, U., Ryzhkova, T., Hnoievyі I., Hrinchenko, D., Petrenko, A., Hotvianska, A., & Yevtushenko, Y. (2026). Detecting cadmium bioaccumulation in soil and its translocation into agricultural produce. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 1(10 (139), 22–28. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.351507

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 10 (139) (2026): Ecology

Section

Ecology

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Copyright (c) 2026 Maryna Samilyk, Serhii Bokovets, Oleh Bakhmat, Ulyana Nedilska, Taisia Ryzhkova, Ihor Hnoievyі, Dmytro Hrinchenko, Alla Petrenko, Anna Hotvianska, Yevhen Yevtushenko

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