Heavy metal accumulation in Celery from Sarchnar and Kalar in Kurdistan of Iraq Region

Abstract

Heavy metals pose risk to human health. The present study was carried out toassess levels of different heavy metals like lead, Copper, Chromium, Nickel andIron, in celery irrigated with water from different sources. The results indicated asubstantial build-up of heavy metals in vegetable irrigated with wastewater. Therange of various metals in surface water mixed with wastewater-irrigated plantswas 0.0005, 0.0003, 0.0086, 0.0006, 0.2106 mg/L for Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni and Ferespectively, in sarchnar location, and lowest value of these metals was determinedin well water used for irrigation in kalar location and values are (0.0002, 0.0014,0.0171, 0.0004 and 0.0020 mg/L) for Pb, Cu, Cr , Ni and Fe respectively. Thehighest levels of Fe detected in celery value 5.181and 3.983 mg/kg in Sarchnar andKalar location, respectively. The present study highlights that both adults andchildren consuming vegetables grown in wastewater-irrigated soils ingestsignificant amount of these metals. However, the values of these metals were belowthe recommended maximum tolerable levels. The regular monitoring of levels ofthese metals from effluents and sewage, in vegetables and in other food materials isessential to prevent excessive build-up of these metals in the food chain.