Assessment of heavy metals uptake in leafy vegetables grown on long term wastewater irrigated soil across Vrishabhavathi River, Bangalore, Karnataka.

Abstract

The green leafy vegetables such as Spinach, Fenugreek, Amaranthus randomly collected from agricultural fields across Vrishabhavathi river at five different stations were analysed for heavy metals Fe, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu,Mn, and Pb using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The wastewater sample analyzed at these stations shows higher Electrical Conductivity, BOD, COD and low dissolved oxygen. The heavy metal concentration was higher over year by year in urban sewage water used for irrigation. The results shows higher concentration of iron content in plants followed by manganese. Chromium content is lower in leafy vegetable species. Spinach has higher transfer factor for the heavy metals among the three leafy vegetables followed by Fenugreek and Amaranthus. Highest transfer factor is recorded for zinc metal followed by manganese. Lowest transfer factor is recorded for chromium and lead. The average transfer factor observed in the selected green leafy vegetables is in the order of Zn>Mn>Fe>Cu>Ni>Pb>Cr.