Abstract
This study investigates the concentrations of metals in leafy vegetables in Bethlehem and Jenin districts in Palestine. The concentrations of Fe, Pb, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Cd, and Zn were measured. Vegetables including spinach, arugula, and parsley were collected from different farms from both regions, and analyzed by using ICP-MS. In Bethlehem region, Iron concentrations were ranged from 25 to 1046 mg/kg. Iron concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 425 mg/kg in 33% of the samples. Lead concentrations were ranged from 0.04 to 1.77 mg/kg. Lead concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 0.3 mg/kg in 40% of the samples. Chromium concentrations were ranged from 0.02 to 2.51 mg/kg. Chromium concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 1.3 mg/kg in 13% of the samples. Zinc concentrations were ranged from 4 to 107 mg/kg. Zinc concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 99.4 mg/kg in 6.6% of the samples. Cadmium concentrations were ranged from 0.01 to 1.4 mg/kg. Cadmium concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 0.2 mg/kg in 13% of the samples. The concentration of Manganese, Cobalt and Cupper were all below the WHO/FAO limits of 500, 50 and 73 mg/kg respectively. In Jenin region, Iron concentrations were ranged from 42 to 543 mg/kg. Iron concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 425 mg/kg in 20% of the samples. Lead concentrations were ranged from 0.05 to 0.67 mg/kg. Lead concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 0.3 mg/kg in 20% of the samples. Copper concentrations were ranged from 0.62 to 278 mg/kg. Copper concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 73 mg/kg in 6.66% of the samples. Cadmium concentrations were ranged from 0.02 to 1.62 mg/kg. Cadmium concentrations were higher than the WHO/FAO limits of 0.2 mg/kg in 6.66% of the samples. The concentration of Chromium, Manganese, Cobalt and Cupper were all below the WHO/FAO limits. It was concluded that the contamination found in some leafy vegetable samples was not related to either irrigation water or soil. It was attributed to the misuse of pesticides.
Highlights
During the last decades, crops safety has become a major concern all over the world [1]
The presented results of heavy metals in soil indicate that heavy metal content in soil is not relevant to heavy metal contamination found in leafy vegetables
It can be concluded that some heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd) concentrations in some green leafy vegetables obtained from Bethlehem and Jenin regions were above the permissible limits set by FAO/WHO for human consumption
Summary
Crops safety has become a major concern all over the world [1]. Concerning the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the west bank region of Palestine, Palestinian farmers are restricted from using fertilizers or pesticides by the Israeli authorities. It is speculated that as much as 50% of pesticides used in the country are illegal [17] [18] All of these true challenges may increase metals concentration in the crops that are grown in Palestine. This study investigates the concentrations of metals in leafy vegetables in two different regions These two regions are Bethlehem and Jenin districts in the west bank region of Palestine. There are limited studies concerning the pollution of metals in the vegetables grown in the west bank region of Palestine (see [7] [19]). This study is an important contribution to the assessment of vegetable contamination with heavy metals in the region
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