Heavy Metal Content of Soils and Plum Orchards in an Uncontaminated Area

Abstract

Research was conducted to assess metal contamination of soils and fruits and evaluate potential human health risks. Heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in plum orchard soils were below maximum permissible concentration. I geo showed that soils were uncontaminated (I geo <0 for Fe and Mn) and uncontaminated to moderately contaminated (I geo for Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd ranged from 1.20–0.57, 1.32–0.98, 2.97–0.88 and 1.26–0.58, respectively). Fruit Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb and Cd concentrations were within maximum permissible concentration in foods in Serbia. Only Fe levels were above maximum permissible concentration at most locations. The soil-to-fruit transfer factor (TF) showed large differences between metals. TF for Cd and Pb was 0.0, for Mn 0.007–0.030 and for Zn 0.04–0.09, indicating no potential risk to human health, whereas TF for Fe and Cu was high, i.e. 0.30–1.51 and 0.33–1.69, respectively, suggesting that plum can accumulate Fe and Cu.