Abstract
In recent years, a series of environmental and ecological problems have occurred due to enhanced anthropogenic disturbances for precious mineral mining. Traditional medicines have become an important pillar in national homeopathic treatment system, especially in mountainous environment of developing countries. The current study investigated the level of potentially toxic elements’ (PTEs) contamination in degraded mining soils and medicinal plants along the mafic–ultramafic rocks in Kohistan region. Soil samples and medicinal plant species were collected from the degraded mining areas and screened for PTEs (Pb, Cr, Ni, Mn, Zn and Cd) using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS-Perkin-Elmer, 2380). Various pollution indices were used for PTEs such as contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI) and translocation factor (TF) in degraded mining soils and medicinal plants. The mean concentrations of selected PTEs in soil were in the order of Mn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Zn > Cd, while in medicinal plants the mean concentrations were in the following order: Pb > Cr > Mn > Ni > Zn > Cd. Highest bioaccumulation was observed in Ajuga bracteosa (Cr = 349 mg kg–1), Phlomis bracteosa (Pb = 335 mg kg–1), Chenopodium ambrosioides (Mn = 304.3 mg kg–1), Isatis costata (Ni = 169 mg kg–1), Ajuga parviflora (Zn = 38.4 mg kg–1) and Salvia moorcoftiana (Cd = 11 mg kg–1). Furthermore, the concentrations of PTEs were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in degraded mining soils and medicinal plants than the reference site, which may be attributed to the mining and open dumping of mining wastes. The present study reveals that chromite mining and open dumping of mining wastes can cause serious environmental problems in the study area. Furthermore, medicinal plants grown in degraded mining soils may pose risk to the local inhabitants as most of the people consume these plants for various health problems.
Highlights
Contamination of soil ecosystem with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), like mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) is one of the major environmental issues (Lajayer et al 2017)
On the basis of the aforementioned issues, the current study investigated the concentration of PTEs in degraded mining soils and medicinal plants collected from the degraded mining areas in northern parts of Pakistan
Results demonstrated that the highest value of Pb (335 mg kg–1) was found in Phlomis bracteosa followed by Cr (349 mg kg–1) in Ajuga bracteosa, Mn (304.3 mg kg–1) in Chenopodium ambrosioides, Ni (158 mg kg–1) in Phlomis bracteosa, Zn (38.4 mg kg–1) in Ajuga parviflora and Cd (11 mg kg–1) in Salvia moorcoftiana
Summary
Contamination of soil ecosystem with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), like mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) is one of the major environmental issues (Lajayer et al 2017). Based solely on traditional knowledge, the herb sellers or companies marketing medicinal plants do not perform screening for PTEs and not provide any information on the maximum daily dosage that can cause toxicity in children, adults and old age people. This data will play vital role for informing the public and government regularity authorities about the current problems and will influence to move forward in minimizing open dumping of mining wastes and its associated adverse impacts on local environment
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