Influence of groundwater and wastewater irrigation on lead accumulation in soil and vegetables: Implications for health risk assessment and phytoremediation. Issue 11 (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khalid, Sana; Shahid, Muhammad; Dumat, Camille; Niazi, Nabeel Khan; Bibi, Irshad; Gul Bakhat, Hafiz Faiq Sidique; Abbas, Ghulam; Murtaza, Behzad; Javeed, Hafiz Muhammad Rashid
• Is Part Of: International journal of phytoremediation. Volume 19:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 1037
• Page End: 1046
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: wastewater -- vegetables -- lead -- health risk assessment -- heavy metals; Phytoremediation -- Periodicals; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2017.1319330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1522-6514

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The current study evaluated the effect of groundwater and wastewater irrigation on lead (Pb) accumulation in soil and vegetables, and its associated health implications. A pot experiment was conducted in which spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ), radish ( Raphanus sativus ), and cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea ) were irrigated with groundwater and wastewaters containing varying concentrations of Pb. Lead contents were measured in wastewaters, soils and root and shoot of vegetables. We also measured health risk index (HRI) associated with the use of vegetables irrigated by wastewaters. Results revealed that Pb contents in groundwater and wastewater samples (range: 0.18–0.31 mg/L) were below the permissible limits (0.5 mg/L) set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Application of Pb-containing groundwater and wastewater increased Pb concentration in soil and vegetables. Lead concentrations in all soils ranged from 10 to 31 mg/kg and were below the permissible limits of 300 mg/kg set by the European Union. Significant Pb enrichment was observed in the soils whereby all types of vegetables were grown and assessed for Pb risk. Our data showed that Pb contents, in all three vegetables (21–28 mg/kg DW), were higher than the permissible Pb limit of FAO (5 mg/kg Dry Weight (DW)). The HRI values were > 1.0 for radish and cauliflower. It is proposed that Vehari city wastewater/groundwater must be treated prior to its use for irrigation to avoid vegetable contamination by Pb, and as such for reducing Pb-induced human health risk.