## 4 Conclusions  
This research represents the first comprehensive investigation in the Galati-Braila region, SE Romania, focusing on the elemental, mineralogical, and microstructural analyses of soil and the three crop (wheat, corn, and sunflower) sections (leaves and caryopses/achenes) cultivated in SEN and TUL, GL County, and VAD, BR County areas. It is the first scientific endeavor to evaluate the bioaccumulation capacity of major and trace elements in the plant tissues of wheat, corn, and sunflower using Bioaccumulation Factors (BFs) in the agroecosystems neighboring the Galati Iron and Steel Plant. Additionally, it contributes to the assessment of human health risks posed by topsoil dispersed particles. The integrated analytical methods (HR-CS AAS, ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDX, PIGE) have proven to be valuable in identifying and quantifying environmental issues that might affect the population residing near the industrial facility. The presence of heavy metals and other toxic substances from industrial and agricultural activities poses a threat to both the environment and human health. Our research has shown that the levels of Cr, Ni, Zn, and F exceed established Romanian safety standards and sometimes even surpassed the recommended intervention levels. These higher levels indicate a significant degree of contamination. The values of pollution indices highlighted the steel industry as the source of contamination. The investigated crops are crucial for human and animal consumption. Our findings showed that the concentration of heavy metals in crops is compartment- and plant-specific. For wheat and corn, the leaves contain higher levels of these elements compared to the seeds, while for sunflower, the pattern is the opposite. Based on the hazard index (HI) values, it has been determined that chromium poses a risk of non-carcinogenic dermal contact and ingestion hazards, with children being particularly vulnerable to its adverse effects. On the other hand, the hazard index from cobalt through ingestion is considered to be minimal. Additionally, there is no potential risk of adverse health effects from exposure to lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) for both adults and children. The current lack of data on crop contamination and plant's bioconcentration capacity in the Lower Danube Basin, near the metallurgical plant, makes it necessary to perform the following measures:  
Implementation of comprehensive soil testing and continuous monitoring to proactively identify and address soil-to-plant contamination, preventing potential escalation;  
Research on the contamination levels of other plant species grown for humans and animals feed in the steel industrial area;  
Encouragement of farmers and stakeholders to prioritize the use of environmentally friendly fertilizers and pest control methods, while ensuring proper dosage according to soil properties and plant needs to mitigate potential risks associated with pollution;  
Implementation of ongoing information and education programs for the population to prevent and combat ecosystem pollution. These measures are crucial for environmental protection, public health preservation, and maintaining the overall ecological balance of the region. This work may serve as a foundational framework for initiating innovative agropodological and plant physiology studies in the specific agricultural and ecological context of the southeastern region of Romania. Conceptualization, A.E. and S.S.M. ; data curation, A.E. and S.S.M. ; formal analysis, A.M.C. ; investigation, A.E., S.S.M., D.I.M., A.P., S.G. and A.M.C. ; methodology, A.E., S.S.M., D.I.M., A.P., S.G. and A.M.C. ; project administration, A.E. ; resources, A.E. and A.P. ; software, S.S.M. and S.G.; validation, S.S.M. and D.I.M. ; visualization, S.G.; writing--original draft, A.E. and S.S.M. ; writing--review and editing, A.E., S.S.M., D.I.M., A.P., S.G. and A.M.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.