Risk contamination Cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soil to national food security: An integrative study

Abstract

Background: Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils poses serious risks to ecosystem stability, crop productivity, and food security in Indonesia. Industrial discharge and long-term agrochemical use contribute to increasing Cd accumulation, particularly in intensively cultivated and industrialized regions. This study evaluates spatial variation, contamination levels, and ecological risks of Cd in agricultural soils in West Java and Central Java. Methods: A quantitative descriptive–comparative approach was applied using secondary data from indexed scientific publications and Statistics Indonesia (BPS) for 2022–2024. Standardized Cd concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) obtained from AAS and ICP–OES analyses were synthesized. Contamination Factor (CF) and Ecological Risk factor (Er) were calculated using the Hakanson (1980) model. Correlation analysis examined the relationship between soil Cd levels and the percentage of polluted villages. Findings: Bandung Regency (West Java) showed the highest Cd concentration (6.6 mg/kg) with extreme ecological risk (Er = 990), linked to textile and electroplating industries and wastewater discharge. The Brebes–Demak–Pati region (Central Java) recorded moderate to high contamination (2.2 mg/kg; Er = 330), mainly from prolonged fertilizer and pesticide use. Despite soil contamination, Cd in rice from Semarang remained below detection limits (<0.02 mg/kg). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.72) confirms spatial association between industrial density and soil Cd burden. Conclusion: Cd contamination presents significant ecological risks, especially in industrial-agricultural zones. Strengthened industrial waste regulation, integrated soil–water monitoring, and periodic evaluation are essential to prevent further accumulation and safeguard food security. Novelty/Originality of this Article: This study integrates ecological risk modeling with spatial-statistical correlation using recent national data, providing an updated comparative assessment of Cd contamination dynamics across key agricultural regions in Indonesia.