Assessment of heavy metal pollution in vegetables and relationships with soil heavy metal distribution in Zhejiang province,China

There are increasing concerns on heavy metal contaminant in soils and vegetables. In this study, we investigated heavy metal pollution in vegetables and the corresponding soils in the main vegetable production regions of Zhejiang province, China. A total of 97 vegetable samples and 202 agricultural soil samples were analyzed for the concentrations of Cd, Pb, As, Hg, and Cr. The average levels of Cd, Pb, and Cr in vegetable samples [Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris spp. Pekinensis), pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.), celery (Apium graveolens), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), cucumber (Colletotrichum lagenarium), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), and eggplant (Solanum melongena)] were 0.020, 0.048, and 0.043 mg kg^?1, respectively. The Pb and Cr concentrations in all vegetable samples were below the threshold levels of the Food Quality Standard (0.3 and 0.5 mg kg^?1, respectively), except that two eggplant samples exceeded the threshold levels for Cd concentrations (0.05 mg kg^?1). As and Hg contents in vegetables were below the detection level (0.005 and 0.002 mg kg^?1, respectively). Soil pollution conditions were assessed in accordance with the Chinese Soil Quality Criterion (GB15618-1995, Grade II); 50 and 68 soil samples from the investigated area exceeded the maximum allowable contents for Cd and Hg, respectively. Simple correlation analysis revealed that there were significantly positive correlations between the metal concentrations in vegetables and the corresponding soils, especially for the leafy and stem vegetables such as pakchoi, cabbage, and celery. Bio-concentration factor values for Cd are higher than those for Pb and Cr, which indicates that Cd is more readily absorbed by vegetables than Pb and Cr. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the possible pollution of heavy metals in vegetables, especially Cd.     

Investigation of heavy metal content of Turkish tobacco leaves, cigarette butt, ash, and smoke

A procedure for the determination of cadmium, copper, manganese, and zinc in Turkish tobaccos, which were of different origins, years, and grades, and in the butt, ash, and smoke, which were obtained by smoking the cigarettes that were prepared manually from the said tobaccos in a smoking apparatus, was devised as proposed. The collected samples were digested by wet ashing technique by using HNO₃-HClO₄ and were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry with satisfactory recoveries (94 % to 98 %). The regression coefficients were above 0.99, and the detection limits were in the range of 0.03–0.12 mg/L^?1. The performance and accuracy of the method was tested by analyzing “Certified Reference Material GBW 08501-Peach Leaves.” The determined values were in agreement with the standard values for the heavy metals analyzed. Thus, it was concluded that the developed method could offer a wide range of application for establishing a relationship between the makeup and composition of tobacco plant, products, ash, smoke, and smoking.     

Ionic and heavy metal composition of respirable particulate in Madurai, India

Airborne particulate matter (PM₁₀) was collected for a period of 1 year at six locations in Madurai city, India. The chemical analyses on PM₁₀ samples were carried out for the estimation of heavy metals and ions using atomic absorption spectroscopy and ion chromatography respectively. The average PM₁₀ concentrations varied from 97.2 to 152.5 μg/m³, which were found to be below the Indian air quality standards. While industrial areas had the highest concentrations of heavy metals such as Fe, Zn and Cr and also the $\text{SO}_{4}^{2-}$ ions, traffic areas with relatively higher traffic densities in the city endured highest concentrations of Cd and the $\text{NO}_{3}^{-}$ ion. As gaseous pollutants serve as precursors of ionic particles in the atmospheric environment, gaseous pollution control is necessitated along with particulate with special reference to heavy metal and ion pollution abatement for the sustainable development of Madurai city.     

Concentration of heavy metals in Karanja reservoir, Bidar district, Karnataka, India

In this study, some heavy metals concentrations (Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni) and other physico-chemical parameters were studied during October 2001 to September 2003 in Karanja reservoir, Bidar district. Water quality parameters were collected monthly basis whereas heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic Adsorption Spectrometer (AAS). Heavy metals have shown within the permissible limits, except Fe and Ni were recorded higher values in southwest monsoon, where as Mn has showed higher concentration in northeast monsoon in and summer. All other physico-chemical parameters are with in the permissible limit. Water is moderately hard and reservoir is productive.     

Determination and speciation of heavy metals in sediments of the Juru River,Penang, Malaysia

The Juru River flows through largely urbanized areas and is grossly polluted by domestic wastes and discharges from pig farms. Other than carrying highly polluting organic materials, these wastes are also contaminated with heavy metals. To ascertain the extent of heavy metal pollution in the river, total and non-residual concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn and Fe in sediment samples collected along the river were determined. The results indicate that both the total and non-residual metal concentrations in sediments can successfully be used to identify heavy metal pollution sources. The speciation of Zn, Mn and Fe in the sediment samples were investigated using a sequential leaching technique which identifies the elements among six operationally defined host fractions: (1) exchangeable, (2) carbonate and surface-associated, (3) easily reducible, (4) moderately reducible, (5) bound to organic matter and sulphides and (6) residual. The results indicate that Zn is mainly associated with the reducible fractions. Zn and Fe found in the moderately reducible fraction are significantly correlated, indicating that iron oxides is the preferred host phase by Zn.     

Distribution and accumulation of heavy metals in the sediments of Akkaya Dam,Nigde, Turkey

Twenty-one surface sediment samples were collected from Akkaya Dam. Heavy metal concentrations (Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, As, V and Cd), grain size, organic carbon and carbonate contents were studied in order to assess the extent of environmental pollution and to discuss the origin of these contaminants in sediments of dam. The sediments in the study area are mostly very fine sands. However, mud was observed in the northeast of the dam. Sediment pollution assessment was carried out using enrichment factor. The calculation of enrichment factors showed that Mo is depleted by 1.0 whereas Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, As, V, Cr and Cd are enriched by 3, 5.4, 7, 2.7, 2.2, 3.4, 42.3, 2.1, 1.8 and 7.2, respectively. Relatively high concentrations heavy metals occurred in north (textile industry area) and east (Karasu River) due to enrichment controlled by anthropogenic wastes. The results of correlation analysis show low–medium positive and negative correlations among metals, grain size, carbonate contents and organic carbon and indicate that heavy metals in sediments of the Akkaya Dam have different anthropogenic sources.     

Water-soluble species and heavy metal contamination of the petroleum refinary area,Jordan

The levels of lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, aluminum, chromium, and iron in street dust, soil, and plants in the Jordanian petroleum refinery were determined using flame and graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Major cations (Li+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) and anions (F-, Cl-, NO3-, SO4(2-), and Br-) were also determined using suppression mode ion chromatography. Generally, higher levels of the heavy metals studied were found in street dust samples than in soil samples. On the other hand, except Cl-, and Li+ ions, other anions and cations showed higher concentrations in soil than in street dust samples. For plant samples, unwashed samples showed higher levels of heavy metals than their washed counterparts, indicating that dust fall is a source of heavy metal contamination.     

Characterization of heavy metals in water and sediments in Taihu Lake, China

To explore a comprehensive status of heavy metals in the Taihu Lake, which is one of the most important waters in China, water and sediment samples were taken throughout the lake during April to May of 2010, and metal elements (Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sb, Zn, Mn) were analyzed in the water column, interstitial water and sediment. Relevant standards were used to assess the sediment and water quality. Results show that, in the lake water column, the average concentration of all metals ranged from 0.047 μg/l (Cd) to 8.778 μg/l (Zn). The concentration in the river water was usually higher than in the lake water for many metals. In the interstitial water Mn was significantly higher than that in water column, and other metals had no significant difference between the two media. In the surface sediment, average metal content ranged from 1.325 mg/kg (Cd) to 798.2 mg/kg (Mn). Spatially, contents of many metals were higher in Zhushan Bay than in other lake areas, and there existed a clear content gradient from the river to the lake for both water and sediment. On the sediment profiles, many metals presented an increasing trend from the depth of 15-20 cm to the top, which is indicative of the impact of increasingly intensive human activities from that period. Quality assessment indicates that metals in water phase are generally safe compared with USEPA "National Recommended Water Quality Criteria," with the exception of Mn in the interstitial water and Sb in the river water. Whereas the sediment is widely contaminated with metals to some extent compared with the "Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guidelines," and Cu, Cr, and Ni are more likely to raise ecological risks. This work could be a basis for the ongoing China's criteria strategy.     

Monitoring of heavy metal contaminants using feathers of shorebirds, Korea

This study presents concentrations of iron, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium in the feathers of 3 shorebird species (n = 29) from Okgu Mudflat, Korea in the East Asian-Australian Migration Flyways. Lead concentrations (ANOVA, p < 0.001) in Red-necked Stints (geomean = 9.61 μg g(-1) dry weight) were higher than in Terek Sandpipers (geomean = 5.56 μg g(-1) dry weight) which in turn were higher than in Great Knots (geomean = 2.78 μg g(-1) wet weight). Cadmium concentrations (ANOVA, p < 0.001) were higher in Great Knots (geomean = 2.97 μg g(-1) wet weight) and in Red-necked Stints (geomean = 2.70 μg g(-1) dry weight) than in Terek Sandpipers (geomean = 0.33 μg g(-1) dry weight). Lead (r = 0.574, p < 0.01) and cadmium (r = 0.380, p < 0.05) concentrations between feathers and livers of shorebirds were significantly correlated. Lead concentrations in 65.5% (19 individuals) of shorebirds exceeded a toxicity threshold for feathers (4 μg g(-1) dry weight). Iron, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium concentrations in feathers were within the range of earlier studies for wild birds, but lead concentrations in Red-necked Stints were higher than those reported in other studies. Because lead concentrations in feathers and livers of Red-necked Stints were markedly higher than in other shorebirds, we suggest that Red-necked Stints were exposed to higher lead concentrations than the other shorebirds on their breeding or wintering grounds.     

Enrichment and fractionation of heavy metals in bed sediments of River Narmada, India

A metal fractionation study on bed sediments of River Narmada in Central India has been carried out to examine the enrichment and partitioning of different metal species between five geochemical phases (exchangeable fraction, carbonate fraction, Fe/Mn oxide fraction, organic fraction and residual fraction). The river receives toxic substances through a large number of tributaries and drains flowing in the catchment of the river. The toxic substances of particular interest are heavy metals derived from urban runoff as well as municipal sewage and industrial effluents. Heavy metals entering the river get adsorbed onto the suspended sediments, which in due course of time settle down in the bottom of the river. In this study fractionation of metal ions has been carried out with the objective to determine the eco-toxic potential of metal ions. Although, in most cases (except iron) the average trace/heavy metal concentrations in sediments were higher than the standard shale values, the risk assessment code as applied to the present study reveals that only about 1–3% of manganese, <1% of copper, 16–19% of nickel, 4–20% of chromium, 1–4% of lead, 8–13% of cadmium and 1–3% of zinc exist in exchangeable fraction and therefore falls under low to medium risk category. According to the Geo-accumulation Index (GAI), cadmium shows high accumulation in the river sediments, rest of other metals are under unpolluted to moderately polluted class.     

Assessment and sources of heavy metals in surface sediments of Miyun Reservoir, Beijing

Heavy metals concentrations in surface sediments from Miyun Reservoir were determined to evaluate the pollution and identify the sources. The average content of metals in sediments from Miyun Reservoir followed the order Al>Fe>Ti>Mn>V>Zn>Cr>Ni>Cu>Pb>As>Cd>Hg, and the most mean values were lower than the globe average shale. Heavy metals concentrations at the inflow area of Baihe were higher than those at the inflow area of Chaohe. Heavy metals pollution assessment was carried out by factor enrichment (EF), geoaccumulation index (I _geo), and potential ecological risk (RI). The EF values for all heavy metals except Hg, Cd, and Cr at several sites were lower than 3, suggesting low anthropogenic impact on the metals level. The I _geo values of Pb indicated that half of the sites were unpolluted to moderately polluted and mainly located in the Baihe area of the reservoir. The RI showed that heavy metals of Miyun Reservoir were low potential risk, however, Hg approached or belonged to moderate ecological risk at sites of M5, M7, and M13. Correlation analysis and principal component suggested that Ni, Cu, V, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ti, and Pb were derived from soil erosion in upper reaches of the reservoir, while Fe, Cd, Hg, As, and partial Pb originated from anthropogenic sources, particularly industrial mining and gold tailings.     

Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in Varanasi City, India

Rapid growth in urbanization and industrialization in developing countries may significantly contribute in heavy metal contamination of vegetables through atmospheric depositions. In the present study, an assessment was made to investigate the spatial and seasonal variations in deposition rates of heavy metals and its contribution to contamination of palak (Beta vulgaris). Samples of bulk atmospheric deposits and Beta vulgaris for analysis of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were collected from different sampling locations differing in traffic density and land use patterns. The results showed that the sampling locations situated in industrial or commercial areas with heavy traffic load showed significantly elevated levels of Cu, Zn and Cd deposition rate as compared to those situated in residential areas with low traffic load. The deposition rates of Cu, Zn and Cd were significantly higher in summer and winter as compared to rainy season, however, Pb deposition rate was significantly higher in rainy and summer seasons as compared to winter season. Atmospheric depositions have significantly elevated the levels of heavy metals in B. vulgaris collected during evening as compared to those collected in morning hours. The study further showed that local population has maximum exposure to Cd contamination through consumption of B. vulgaris. The present study clearly points out the urban and industrial activities of a city have potential to elevate the levels of heavy metals in the atmospheric deposits, which may consequently contaminate the food chain and thus posing health risk to the local population.     

Assessment of heavy metal concentration in the Khoshk River water and sediment, Shiraz, Southwest Iran

Heavy metal contents and contamination characteristics of the water and sediment of the Khoshk River, Shiraz, Southwest Iran were investigated. The abundance of heavy metals decreases as Zn > Mn > Cr > Ni >Pb > Cu > Cd in water samples and Mn > Cr > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu > Cd in sediments, respectively. Based on the enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index values, sediments were loaded with Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd. Pearson correlation matrix as well as cluster and principal components analyses and analysis of variance were implemented on data from sampling sites. Based on the locations of sampling sites in clusters and variable concentrations at these stations, it was concluded that municipal, industrial, and domestic discharges in the Shiraz urban area strongly affected heavy metals concentrations in the Khoshk River water and sediment. Results obtained from principal components analysis of sediment samples showed that the high concentration of Ni was mainly from natural origin, related to the composition of parent rocks, while the elevated values of Cr, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu were due to anthropogenic activities.     

Total concentrations, fractionation and mobility of heavy metals in soils of urban area of Guwahati, India

This work describes the results of assessment of the heavy metals, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in urban soil of Guwahati City, India from 31 sites of five different land use types covering residential, commercial, industrial, public utilities, and roadside. Sequential extraction procedure was used to evaluate the relative distribution of the eight metals in exchangeable, carbonate, reducible (Fe?CMn oxide), organic and sulfide, and residual fractions. Of the eight metals, Cd and Co occur in lower concentrations (Cd <?< Co) in all types of land, and concentration variation from one type of land use to another is not much significant for both the metals. Ni presence is more than Co, and the concentrations show some variation depending on land use status. Average Cr and Cu concentrations are ??100?mg/kg, but Cr has a significantly higher presence in industrial land use. The results are similar in case of Pb. The two metals, Mn and Zn have domination over the other metals, and the values are ??300?mg/kg. Industrial and roadside soil contains much more Mn, while commercial soil is most enriched with Zn. Of the metals, Ni has the largest proportion (~42%) bound to the exchangeable fraction and Co, Cr, and Pb also have appreciable proportion bound to the same fraction. A significant amount of Co is associated with carbonates. The reducible fraction has bound considerable quantity of Mn and Zn, while most of Cu is associated with the organic and sulfide fraction. Both Cd and Pb are dominantly associated with the residual fraction. Computation of the mobility factor of the metals indicates Mn to be the most mobile metal present in the soil samples.     

The occurrence of heavy metals in irrigated and non-irrigated arable soils,NW Albania

The study analysed the content of heavy metals in surface soil and sediment samples from the Bregu i Matit Plain in NW Albania in relation to irrigation in order to evaluate the soil pollution and the potential risk to human health. Evaluation of soil pollution was performed using the enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index. Contents of cadmium, chromium and nickel of irrigated soils were significantly higher than those of non-irrigated soil, while contents of lead (in three of the irrigated locations), zinc and arsenic (in one of the irrigated locations) were significantly lower. Correlation analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the primary source of the first three metals was irrigation, and the last three metals were originated from other anthropic sources, like the use of chemicals, etc. Enrichment factor (E _f) calculation showed that irrigated soils were most enriched in cadmium, chromium, copper and nickel. Index of geo-accumulation (I _geo) revealed that arable soils of Bregu i Matit are unpolluted to moderately polluted with cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc and moderately to strongly polluted with nickel and arsenic. The presence of heavy metals in the studied soils indicates a potential risk of transfer of these elements in the food chain. Therefore, further studies on the speciation of heavy metals in the studied soils in order to evaluate their mobility are needed.     

Spatial distribution and multiple sources of heavy metals in the water of Chaohu Lake,Anhui, China

In this study, a survey for the spatial distribution of heavy metals in Chaohu Lake of China was conducted. Sixty-two surface water samples were collected from entire lake including three of its main river entrances. This is the first systematic report concerning the content, distribution, and origin of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Cd, Hg, Zn, and Ni) in the Chaohu Lake water. The results showed that heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Zn, and Ni) concentrations in the estuary of Nanfei River were relatively higher than those in the other areas, while content of Hg is higher in the southeast lake than northwest lake. Moreover, Cd has locally concentration in the surface water from the entire Chaohu Lake. The heavy metal average concentrations, except Hg, were lower than the cutoff values for the first-grade water quality (China Environment Quality Standard) which was set as the highest standard to protect the social nature reserves. The Hg content is between the grades three and four water quality, and other heavy metals contents are higher than background values. The aquatic environment of Chaohu Lake has apparently been contaminated. Both the cluster analysis (CA) and correlation analysis provide information about the origin of heavy metals in the Lake. Our findings indicated that agricultural activities and adjacent plants chimneys may contribute the most to Cd and Hg contamination of Chaohu Lake, respectively.