Comparative study of heavy metals distribution in soil, forage, blood and milk

Abstract

Heavy metals contamination is a global issue and is a severe threat to living organisms. Present study was designed to analyze heavy metals distribution in soil, forage, blood and milk from Livestock station, Khizerabad, Sargodha, Pakistan. Statistical analysis was performed to access the variation in metals concernments in different types of samples as well as variation among sampling seasons. The concentration of heavy metals varied significant (P<0.05) seasonally (summer and winter) as well as among sample types (soil, forage, blood and milk). The Ni mean concentration was recorded in the range of 1.6–64.0mgkg−1 in soil, 0.93–10.26mgL−1 in blood and 0.93–10.26mgL−1 in milk sample and similar trend was observed in case of Co, Cd, Cr and Pb. Concentration of Cr in soil, forage, blood and milk was recorded within the permissible limits, whereas Co and Cd contents were beyond the permissible limits. Pb and Ni contents were within the permissible limits in soil and forage samples. In comparison to previous study conducted in adjoining areas, it was observed that the heavy metals in the environment have been increased, which might be serious threat to the soil, environmental and livings organisms.