Detecting cadmium bioaccumulation in soil and its translocation into agricultural produce

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