Evaluation of Some Toxic Trace Elements in Crocus Sativus L. and Soil Using Neutron Activation Analysis Technique

Abstract

Neutron activation analysis was used in this research to measure the concentrations of aluminum (Al), bromine (Br), chlorine (Cl), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and thorium (Th) in soil and saffron plants as well as their contamination, enrichment, and translocation rates. The edible part of the saffron showed a higher Hg concentration than the WHO/FAO-permitted level in the urban area. The soil was not intoxicated and contaminated by Al, As, and Th except in the urban areas, which were slightly polluted by As. The calculated contamination degree and pollution load index indicated that the soil was almost uncontaminated. The enrichment factors (EF) showed minimal enrichment levels of Al and Th and low As contamination, which may still increase due to human activities in the environment. The tested elements’ translocation abilities were also evaluated by the paired t-test statistical method and indexes of translocation, and it was found that Al, As, and Th can quickly relocate into different soil depths. Saffron was also evaluated as a very poor absorber of the elements studied. While Cl and Th can easily move from the saffron’s corm to its aerial parts, Al and Hg merely translocate from the corm to the petal. It was also found that Al, Cl, and Th can move between the petals and the thread.