Abstract
The present study was implemented to remediate heavy metal levels in lettuce grown by Akaki river water in 45 pots. The soil for the pot experiment collected from the Akaki area and the water used for lettuce growing from the upper, middle, and lower part of Akaki River with five treatment for three locations: groundwater (control), 25, 50, 75, and 100% Akaki river water with groundwater combination set as treatment. The results obtained from this pot experiment in lettuce samples Cd, Pb, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Cu concentration in the range of (0.047-0.263), (0.42-6.55), (339.83-420.00), (2.96-13.44), (0.95-7.87) and (1.68-7.49) (mg /Kg) respectively, all heavy metal concentration except groundwater irrigated lettuce sample above-recommended level set by WHO (1999). Whereas, Concentration of these metals in the soil samples (mg/kg) was found to be Cd (0.47-3.47), Pb (8.00-118.00), Fe (13557.30-16800.00), Zn (40.00-224.67), Cr (4.91-39.36) and Cu (35.00-149.88), out of Cd and Fe heavy metal concentration in Akaki river water irrigated soil samples except 100% Akaki river water irrigated soil sample was below the recommended level set by /FAOWHO (2001). Similarly, concentrations (mg/L) of the metals in the Akaki river water samples were found to be in the ranges of 0.18-0.28, 1.40-2.67, 0.97-1.40, 0.037-0.087, 0.037-0.080, and 01-0.14 for Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Cr, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in the Akaki river water and lettuce samples were above the recommended limit of both WHO and FAO. Also, Cd and Fe for the soil samples were greater than WHO and FAO recommended limit. Based on facts obtained from this study we suggest concerned official body (ies) take the necessary precaution measures for cleaning the Akaki river water.
Highlights
Heavy metals (HM) are extremely persistent in the environs
The major aim of this study was to find out solution for heavy metal toxicity levels of Akaki River water for irrigation purpose
The Akaki River water, lettuce growing soil and lettuce samples that were growing with upper, middle and lower part of Akaki River water with ground water by the combination of control, 25, 50, 75, and 100% Akaki river water with ground water combination set as treatment) were subjected to wet-digestion and the concentration of detected metals were determined via FAAS
Summary
Heavy metals (HM) are extremely persistent in the environs. HMs are non-biodegradable and non-thermo degradable and they are readily accumulate to toxic levels in environment [1].Wastewater and likely to increase markedly during the few decades as water stress intensifies [2,3,4]. HMs are non-biodegradable and non-thermo degradable and they are readily accumulate to toxic levels in environment [1]. Some of them like Cu2+, Co2+, Fe2+, Mo2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ are essential plant micronutrients [8], while few others like Hg2+, Cd2+, Ni2+ and Pb2+ are toxic to plants. Those like toxic HMs harmfulness effect are vary from genotype to genotype of the same crop [5]. Leafy vegetables are highly metal accumulator with compare to root vegetables and legumes [9]
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