Abstract
Nowadays soil contamination practices create hazardous environment impact that is a vital issue to prevent heavy metals from their integration in the food chain. Plant species selected for this study were the ingredients of the traditional Lebanese salad, Tabbouli, composed of parsley and lemon that were selected from Damour, olive and onion from Ghazir, peppermint and tomato from Akkar and bulgur, to fulfill all the requirements for the assessment of the major physicochemical properties and the contamination levels in vegetables from soils with heavy metal elements. The major physicochemical properties of topsoil including pH, organic matter content method (LOI) and texture showed that studied soils were almost neutral pH of 7.09 with an organic matter content of 4.22% and a texture of sandy loam. Concentration ranges of As, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and P in studied soil samples were determined and assessed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy, following aqua regia digestion and weak acetic acid digestion. Also, similar measurements on studied plant samples following microwave assisted digestion by HNO3/H2O2 were determined and transfer factors from soils to vegetables were accordingly calculated because of their health risk. Results showed that concentrations of most of studied elements in soil and plant samples were recorded above the permissible limits set by International standards for agricultural soils and by International standards for vegetables FAO/WHO. Furthermore, soil to plant transfer is the major path way of human exposure to potentially toxic elements contamination. Good manufacturing and agricultural practices and safety measurements have to be strictly adapted.
Highlights
Heavy metal contaminated vegetables refers to the excessive deposition and accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As), Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), etc. in vegetables from soils
Studies on heavy metals type and content in the soil-plant system have gradually increased in recent years, resulting in posing risks and hazards to humans and ecosystem through direct ingestion or contact with contaminated soil, the food chain, drinking of contaminated ground water, reduction in land usability for agricultural production, reduction in food quality and in causing food insecurity, and land tenure problems (Su et al, 2014)
The health outcomes of consuming contaminated vegetables by the public is necessary for responsible authorities to take proper measures, especially on the studied sites with very high levels of heavy metals
Summary
Heavy metal contaminated vegetables refers to the excessive deposition and accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As), Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), etc. in vegetables from soils. Heavy metal contaminated vegetables refers to the excessive deposition and accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As), Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), etc. In Lebanon, soils may become contaminated through emissions from the rapidly expanding industrial areas, disposal of high metal wastes from electrical power stations, untreated wastewater sewage sludge, wastewater irrigation, land application of fertilizers, leaded gasoline and paints , pesticides, coal combustion residues and atmospheric deposition (Fadel et al, 2016; Nassif & Saade, 2010). Tabouli salad or Tabbouleh is a simple salad of very finely chopped vegetables composed of parsley, bulgur, onions, peppermint and tomato, parsley, all tossed with lime juice, olive oil, salt and peppers. The tomatoes are minced very finely in cubic forms All these ingredients are mixed along with the lemon juice, olive oil and peppers. Some salts may be added before serving fresh on the table (Fadel, 2010)
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