Abstract
Consumption of food crops contaminated with heavy metals is a major food chain route for human exposure. In the present study, vegetables grown in the sewage and tube well water irrigation are Raphanus sativus, Daucus carrota and Brassica rapa. Concentration of Cd, Pb and Ni was significantly higher in sewage irrigated soil at all the four depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 cm), respectively. Cadmium, Lead and Nickel concentration are higher at the surface horizons and it decreases sharply with depth in both tube well and sewage irrigated soils. Extent of heavy metal built up in sewage irrigated soils was significant in both 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth. Higher concentration of Pb, Cd and Ni, were observed in the roots of all crops grown in sewage irrigated soils compared to that of crops grown on tube well irrigated soils. Sewage water irrigation has a great potential to contaminate the soil which may lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in crop plants and may cause harmful effect on animals and plants. Results, indicate that, long term and indiscriminate application of sewage water, which contains heavy metals may cause accumulation of heavy metals in surface and sub-surface soils and the buildup of heavy metals on soil profile may prove harmful not only to plants, but also to consumers of the harvested crops. Key words: Crops, heavy metals, water, sewage, tube well.
Highlights
Protection of environment is the most vital issue today
Lead and Nickel concentration are higher at the surface horizons and it decreases sharply with depth in both tube well and sewage irrigated soils
Concentration of Cd was significantly higher in sewage contaminated water than the tube well water
Summary
Rapid progress in science and technology, massive industrialization and use of various chemicals in agriculture and most importantly, human activities are the factors threatening the very quality of life (Sharma et al, 2000). Tremendous progress in every sphere of science and technology has lead to environmental impact resulting in extreme unhygienic conditions, modifying our living environment. Environmental disturbances in the ecosystem against the backdrop of rapid population growth, uncontrolled urbanization of unregulated industrialization are mainly reflected by changes in the chemical element concentration pattern. Environmental degradation by trace metal accumulation in eco-friendly systems caused by over exploitation of resource materials and human imposed interactions are the few unending problems encountered which threaten the very basic economy of a nation and individuals by affecting both the progress of the nation as well as the health of the human beings
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
