Abstract
The objective of this study, to was measure concentrations of some heavy metals in various imported and locally produced vegetable crops, including root crops (Turnips ''Brassica rapa'' and Carrots ''Daucus carrota''), stem crops (Potatoes ''Solanum tuberosum'' and Onion ''Allium sativa''), leaves (Lettuce ''Lactuca sativa''), and fruits (Tomatoes ''Lycopersicon esculentum'').These crops were collected from Baghdad central whole sales. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry technique was applied to measure heavy metal concentrations. In the imported vegetables, heavy metal mean concentrations were arranged in the following increasing order: Fe>Zn> Cu>Ni>Co>Cd>Cr>Pb, whereas higher levels of Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb (1.2075, 165.995, 37.2275, 43.775, 6.0375, 1.48)mgkg-1, respectively, were found within the locally produced vegetables. High level of Co 3.09625 mgkg-1 was also detected in onion, while, increased concentrations of Ni 7.8675mgkg-1 were found in lettuce collected from local market. Overall significant differences in the heavy metals concentration between imported and locally produced vegetables were observed. The daily intake of four main heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb) had been estimated which revealed highly consumption of Cd (310 and 372 µg per day) for imported and locally vegetables respectively. This study suggests raising the concern of the society and Iraqi government to this problem and to take in consideration its impact on general health and environment.
Highlights
Recent studies revealed that wastewater effluents are loaded with different types of heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), capper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni), which their effect is going beyond the physiological necessity of plant but instead tending to be magnified in steps of food chain (30)
The results demonstrated that the detected heavy metals are present in all samples and their concentrations in these samples are varying
The present results indicated various concentrations of Cd most of them are higher than normal levels (0.05-1 mgkg-1) as reported by (33).Enrichment of the soil with cadmium leads to its higher presence due to two combined factors; the first is its relative mobility whereas the second is its affinity to associated with organic matters (26)
Summary
Vegetables provide a fast, low cost and an adequate source of vitamins, minerals, and fibers (2).Vegetables contain fundamental nutrients such as proteins, calcium, which is part of the essential life- supporting materials for humans and animals (34). Recent studies revealed that wastewater effluents are loaded with different types of heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), capper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni), which their effect is going beyond the physiological necessity of plant but instead tending to be magnified in steps of food chain (30). This is already proved by their binding ability to different protein molecules, preventing the replication of DNA and affecting cells division (8). Data was analyzed and displayed using GraphPad virgin 6 (v6) and significance was determined using multiple T-test analysis, depending on data normalcy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
