Heavy metal contamination in the wastewater irrigated soil and bioaccumulation in cultivated vegetables: Assessment of human health risk
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Press Inc.
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in soil and accumulation in cultivated vegetables is currently an urgent ecological problem prevalent throughout the world. The study investigated the concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Pb) in irrigation water, soil, and vegetables grown in the vicinity of the industrial area of northern India. Furthermore, this study also assessed the health risk to the local population from consuming vegetables grown in metal-contaminated areas. In the present study, concentrations of all heavy metals in the soil remained within the acceptable limits stipulated by national standards, with the exception of Ni, which exceeded the prescribed threshold limit (Ni=75�100, Cu=135�270, Zn=300�600, Pb=250�500 �gg?1). The concentration of heavy metals in the vegetables was found maximum at the Lohta site followed by Ramnagar, Varuna, Dinapur, and Shivpur as compared to the control site (BHU). The highest concentration of Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Pb was found in Spinacia oleracea followed by Amaranthus grain, Mentha spicata, Abelmoschus esculentus, Solanum melongena, Lagenaria siceraria, Solanum lycopersicum, Momordica charantia, Luffa acutangula, and least in Phaseolus vulgaris. The higher metal content of these vegetables is further supported by an increase in the metal pollution index (MPI) of wastewater-irrigated soil. The maximum DIM (Daily intake of metals) was reported in S. oleracea (0.061 ?g g?1/day), whereas the minimum for P. vulgaris (0.007 ?g g?1/day). On the basis of health quotient (HQ) revealed that at the Lohta, Ramnagar, Varuna Dinapur sites, HQ values of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Pb were found greater than one (>1) for both children and adults on the consumption of all tested plants. The HQ value of all heavy metals except Zn indicated their contamination in the vegetables and their health risks to the local residents. As a result, continuous monitoring and source control should be conducted for heavy metals i.e., Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb, to ensure the region's food quality and environmental security. � 2024 Elsevier Inc.
Description
Keywords
Adult, Children, Environmental security, Food quality, Irrigational water