Assessment of heavy metal concentrations in waste water irrigated vegetables

Abstract

Shortage of good quality irrigation water in present changing scenario of climate forces farmers to use waste water for growing vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas which resulted in buildup of heavy metal in the food chain. Three commonly grown vegetables of city Multan; Onion, Brinjal and Tomato irrigated with waste water were selected to examine the heavy metal contents. The vegetables samples were collected from Haji Block Industrial Estate areas irrigated by waste water due to shortage of canal water. Total thirty samples of three vegetable were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the vegetable samples were contaminated with Pb, Cd and Ni. This study suggests that in future, waste water should be used after treatment to save the health of the masses. The re-use of waste water will help in proper management of soil health and will also save the soil water resources under present climatic conditions.